"It is thought that many MEPs would have been reluctant to begin a process of amending the regulation given that it might have delayed another aspect of the rules - the abolishment of mobile data roaming charges."
That probably should have been the first paragraph of every article (8th in this one) about these amendments. I can see why a politician would value abolishment of mobile data roaming charges more.
Bundling very different laws into one package is an old trick. You wouldn't vote against the "Keyhole-Spying & Non-Puppy-Killing Act" right? In this case telcos were against losing those sweet roaming charges so at least they got several exemptions from net neutrality in the process.
How about making smaller laws? First do one abolishing the roaming charges, and don't slow it down by attaching anything else to it. Then do another with the net neutrality stuff.
Comments
"It is thought that many MEPs would have been reluctant to begin a process of amending the regulation given that it might have delayed another aspect of the rules - the abolishment of mobile data roaming charges."
That probably should have been the first paragraph of every article (8th in this one) about these amendments. I can see why a politician would value abolishment of mobile data roaming charges more.
Bundling very different laws into one package is an old trick. You wouldn't vote against the "Keyhole-Spying & Non-Puppy-Killing Act" right? In this case telcos were against losing those sweet roaming charges so at least they got several exemptions from net neutrality in the process.
Julia Reda claims that the regulation doesn't even achieve that: https://juliareda.eu/2015/10/european-parliament-delivers-ne... (last paragraph)
How about making smaller laws? First do one abolishing the roaming charges, and don't slow it down by attaching anything else to it. Then do another with the net neutrality stuff.