UK regulator Ofcom is consulting with industry as it reviews changes to the internet and how net neutrality rules will continue to apply.

Current internet traffic rules are still based on the EU’s framework on net neutrality, which requires ISPs to treat all internet traffic equally to protect end-users and spur innovation across the internet ecosystem.

Under these rules, non-discrimination restrictions apply to ISPs but not to content providers who originate such traffic as they continue to innovate and expand.

With the country no longer bound by EU rules, the communications regulator is now seeking to strike a new and better balance between driving innovation and protecting end-users.

Ofcom is now to maintain net neutrality principles but in a manner that equally allows operators to also innovate, grow and support end-users’ future needs.

Proposed changes include:

• maintain neutrality rules that allow users to chose what they access online;
• give flexibility to operators to innovate, e.g., through the provision of premium retail packages that provide low latency, or provision of specialised services to enable driverless cars or enhanced virtual environments;
• allow zero-rated services for specific classes of services.