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Internet Technology

The Internet is a worldwide, publicly accessible series of interconnected computer networks that transmit data by packet switching using the standard Internet Protocol (IP). It is a "network of networks" that consists of millions of smaller domestic, academic, business, and government networks, which together carry various information and services, such as electronic mail, online chat, file transfer, and the interlinked web pages and other resources of the World Wide Web (WWW).

Every device connected to the internet has at least one IP (Internet Protocol) address - essentially its 'postal address' on the Internet. When the current version of the Internet Protocol (IPv4) was conceived in the 1970s, it provided just over 4000 million addresses - more than enough in the days before the Internet explosion.

Today, that is not enough to provide each person on the planet with one address. The situation is made much worse by the fact that IPv4 addresses are not distributed evenly - 74% have been assigned to North American organisations.

IPv6

The current generation of the internet will "run out of space" in the near future (2010/2011) if IPv6 protocol - the sixth version of the Internet Protocol - is not adopted around the world. IPv6 protocol will also make the Internet more stable, efficient, powerful, secure and private, and so is crucial for the development of the Information Society.

Net Neutrality

Net neutrality - keeping the Internet free from restrictions on the kinds of equipment that may be attached, on the modes of communication allowed, which does not restrict content, sites or platforms and where communication is not unreasonably degraded by other communications streams - has become a fierce debate since early 2000. The argument between freedom of choice and any future ability to upgrade networks and launch next generation network services is fundamental in deciding whether net neutrality rules should be introduced.

Internet Governance

Discussions on Internet governance - the development and application by Governments, the private sector and civil society, in their respective roles, of shared principles, norms, rules, decision-making procedures, and programmes that shape the evolution and use of the Internet - has taken place since 2004. The Internet Governance Forum has been established to help channel debate on, and find a solution to whether the USA or an International Agency (UN) is now best suited to govern the Internet.

Further reading...

1. Telecommunications and Internet Policy | OECD

2. Web Security Guidelines | AEB

Telecoms Policy

Regulators

Audiovisual Media

Future of the Internet

Net Neutrality

(Tim Berners-Lee)

		Table of Statute Laws and Regulations
Key

Measures		Legal Summary	Regulatory Guidance	Member States Implementation	Additional Information
1st Level	2nd Level
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	Safer Use

			Decision 276/1999 adopting a multi-annual Community Action Plan on promoting safer use on the Internet

			Decision 1151/2003 amending Decision 276/1999

			Decision No 854/2005/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of establishing a multi-annual Community Programme on promoting safer use of the Internet and new online technologies

			Opinion COM (2004) 91 final - 2004/0023 (COD) of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on establishing a multi-annual Community programme on promoting safer use of the Internet and new online technologies

	IPv6 protocol

			Communication COM (2002) 96: Next Generation Internet - priorities for action in migrating to the new internet protocol IPv6

	Domain names

	*.eu*

			Regulation 733/2002 on the implementation of the Internet Top Level Domain 'eu'

			Commission Regulation 874/2004 laying down public policy rules concerning the implementation and functions of the Top Level Domain Name 'eu'

	VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)

			Notice on status of voice communications on the Internet under Directive 90/388

			Supplement to Notice

			Information and consultation document on the treatment of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) under the EU regulatory framework

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