France implements Telecom Package

France has finally passed the EU’s Telecom Package into law, three months after the original deadline.

The adoption of the package will enhance the powers of telecom regulator ARCEP, giving it the authority to force a functional separation of France Telecom if the latter is deemed to have too much power in the market, and greater power to regulate ISPs and initiate enquiries.

In relation to net neutrality, the new rules require access network providers to provide users with access to information, applications and services of their choice. However, operators are likely to continue to be able to provide Quality of Service for certain services, including IPTV, provided they remain transparent to users.