Europe Votes For Net Neutrality But Allows 'Fast Lanes' And ‘Two-Speed’ Internet

​While the European Parliament has approved net neutrality, critics say the bill is filled with loopholes. Critics say the bill has ditched the amendments that consumer advocates alongside tech firms were pushing.

Specifically, the EU law-making body voted down four proposed amendments that, according to critics would have covered the gaps in the regulation, and instead voted in favor of the unamended version.

Dumped Amendments

The disapproved amendments include propositions that would have guaranteed there was no network discrimination; ISPs would not be permitted as gatekeepers; all Internet traffic would be treated in an equal manner; and ISPs would have only been permitted to control the traffic when congestion occurs.

"We are disappointed that the European Parliament has decided not to legislate on this critical issue," ​said Estelle Massé, a policy analyst at human rights organization Access Now.

Massé added that by not approving the important amendments to provide clarity to the text, the Parliament has left it up to the national regulators and the courts to establish its meaning.

Earlier, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web, also announced his support for the amendments.

"If adopted as currently written, these rules will threaten innovation, free speech and privacy, and compromise Europe's ability to lead in the digital economy," reads his blog post.

​Meanwhile, opponents of the regulation cautioned the vote will result to a less competitive Internet as providers may create paid "fast lanes."

Julia Reda, a member of the European Parliament for the Pirate Party in Germany, likewise said the bill would permit for the establishment of a "two-speed" Internet within the European Union.

In the meantime, Andrus Ansip, the vice president of the Digital Single Market Commission fully supports the approval of the bill.

He said the voice of the Europeans has been considered. This regulation, according to Ansip, will put an end to roaming charges in the EU as to protect the open Internet.

He added, by June 15, 2017, Europeans will pay a similar price to utilize their mobile devices when going to different places within the EU as they do back home. He likewise disclosed as early as April 2016, Europeans will already pay less.