The Council conclusions on the open internet and net neutrality in Europe invite Member States to ensure the rapid development of broadband. Telecommunications Ministers also agreed on the need to ensure the open and neutral character of the Internet as their policy objective.

The Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council meeting ended with the Ministers agreement of inviting Member States to encourage the application of the principle of net neutrality and continue their dialogue with the Commission and stakeholders on the openness of the Internet and net neutrality. The Ministers also agreed on the need to ensure the open and neutral character of the Internet as their policy objective. The European Parliament already asked to the Council in November to enforce EU Telecom rules and called on the European Commission to monitor internet traffic management practices.

Among the conclusions, the Council also underlined that there is a need to preserve the open and neutral character of the Internet and consider net neutrality as a policy objective. Ministers also highlighted that it is needed the promotion of innovative solutions by both content providers and electronic communications services operators, including cloud service providers, to foster a unified, non-discriminatory and accessible digital single market, in particular by leveraging the new European Research Framework Programme (Horizon 2020).

In addition, they also welcomed the Commission's intention to assess the need, based on BEREC's investigations, for more stringent measures and to publish additional guidance on net neutrality if necessary. Ministers also asked the Commission to encourage its dialogue with Member States and stakeholders on net neutrality while supporting Member States in ensuring the rapid development of broadband.