• Subscribe
  • Advertise
    • Media Info
    • Terms & Conditions for Advertisers
    • Mechanical Data

Broadband TV News

Independent. Since 2003

  • Home
  • News Line
    • Central & East Europe
    • People
  • TV
    • On Demand/VOD
    • IPTV
    • Cable
    • Satellite
    • Terrestrial
    • Distribution
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Columns
    • Chris Dziadul
    • Julian Clover
    • Robert Briel
  • Events
    • Events Diary
    • BTN Events
    • Events Coverage
    • Submit the details of your event
  • Features
  • Resources
    • White Papers

Court confirms: Deutsche Telekom’s zero-rating service violates law

November 20, 2018 21.09 Europe/London By Jörn Krieger

The Administrative Court of Cologne has confirmed the decision by the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) that some aspects of Deutsche Telekom’s zero-rating service StreamOn violate roaming and net neutrality laws and are therefore inadmissible.

The judges rejected the telco’s application against the authority’s order to prohibit StreamOn in its current form.

StreamOn, which can be booked free of charge, is an additional offer for certain Telekom mobile tariff customers in which data volumes generated when using the audio and video streaming services of so-called content partners are not reducing the tariffs’ data allowances. However, this only applies to usage in Germany. If a customer uses StreamOn in other EU countries, it will decrease the data volume included in the tariff.

When signing up for StreamOn, the customer also agrees in certain tariffs that the bandwidth for streaming services will be reduced to a maximum of 1.7Mbps. This is not sufficient for streaming in HD quality.

According to BNetzA, StreamOn violates the principle of net neutrality stipulated in European law and European roaming regulations. The regulator has therefore prohibited the continuation of the zero-rating service in its current form in December 2017. Telekom’s subsequently lodged appeal against this decision has now remained unsuccessful.

The court explained that the principle of net neutrality requires providers of internet access services, such as Telekom, to treat all traffic equally. This is infringed by reducing the bandwidth for streaming services. This restriction is also not at the customer’s disposal, so that it is irrelevant whether the customer accepts the restriction voluntarily by concluding a contract.

In addition, the current design is also not in line with European roaming regulations according to which no additional charges compared to domestic retail prices can be charged for roaming services in other EU countries. By excluding the deduction of the streamed data volume from the respective data allowances only in the case of domestic use, Telekom is not complying with this rule.

An appeal can be lodged against the decision of the Administrative Court of Cologne, which would then be reviewed by the Higher Administrative Court in Münster.

Telekom intends to continue the legal dispute. “The court decision has no direct effect on our StreamOn offer. In the interest of our customers, we will continue to make use of all legal possibilities so that StreamOn can continue to be offered,” a Telekom spokesman told Broadband TV News. “The termination of StreamOn would be a major disadvantage for our more than 1.7 million customers and over 350 content partners.”

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: Editor's Choice, Newsline, Regulation, Streaming, Telco, Top Story Tagged With: BNetzA, Deutsche Telekom, Federal Network Agency, Net Neutrality, roaming, StreamOn, zero rating Edited: 22 November 2018 08:22

About Jörn Krieger

Jörn reports on the latest developments in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Since 1992, he has been working as a freelance journalist, specialised in digital media, broadcast technology, convergence and new markets. He also takes up University lectureships, writes articles in specialist publications, and produces radio reports. Jörn is also a moderator of panel discussions at industry events such as ANGA COM, Medientage München and IFA Berlin.

Latest News

  • BBC to close linear channels in ‘digital-first’ savings
  • Synamedia acquires content discovery platform Utelly
  • “Father of DVB-S2” awarded Honorary Fellowship
  • United Group grows its figures
  • UK Government to review Drahi’s BT stake

Watch Video

In Conversation: Smart Routers mean Smart Homes

In the first edition of In Conversation, Julian Clover discusses how smart routers are evolving to serve the smart home with Stuart Griffin, Founder & Technologist, Consult Red. … [Webinar Replay...]

Q & A

OTT Question Time – now in association with Broadband TV News

Kauser Kanji, MD of VOD Professional, introduces the industry forum OTT Question Time. … [Read More]

Free Ebook

eBook: Overcoming the Top 5 Challenges in Server-side IP Ad insertion

IP video is a game-changer for advertising. However, unlike traditional television, IP video is more dynamic, with new devices, formats, content and services to consider. … [Download the eBook...]

Broadband TV News

  • Subscribe
  • About us
  • Contacts
  • Logos & Pictures
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Advertising

  • Media Info
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Mechanical Data
  • Video Services

News

  • Latest
  • Central & East Europe
  • TV
  • Tech
  • Streaming
  • Cable
  • Satellite
  • Terrestrial
  • IPTV
  • Business
  • People

Events

  • Events Diary
  • BTN Events
  • Submit the details of your event
  • Media Meet & Greet

Broadband TV News

PO Box 499
Cambridge
United Kingdom
CB1 0AH
news@broadbandtvnews.com

Connect with Us

 

Copyright © 2022 Broadband TV News LLP · Log in

 

Loading Comments...