Some of the world’s largest telecoms companies have signed a 5G manifesto, aimed at driving forward the deployment of next-generation mobile networks.<\/p>\n
The manifesto pledges to launch fast 5G mobile networks in every country within the European Union by 2020.<\/p>\n
However, it also says current net neutrality regulations could hamper innovation and cause “significant uncertainties”.<\/p>\n
The signatories include BT, Nokia, Orange, Vodafone and Deutsche Telekom.<\/p>\n
Neutrality and the web<\/strong><\/p>\n The concept of net neutrality refers to all internet data traffic being treated equally, with no content provider able to gain an advantage over another.<\/p>\n Campaigners believe it is the best way to enable free and open competition on the internet.<\/p>\n “The EU and member states must reconcile the need for open internet with pragmatic rules that foster innovation,” the 5G manifesto says.<\/p>\n “The telecom industry warns that the current net neutrality guidelines, as put forward by BEREC [the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications], create significant uncertainties around 5G return on investment.<\/p>\n “Investments are therefore likely to be delayed unless regulators take a positive stance on innovation and stick to it.”<\/p>\n The fifth generation<\/strong><\/p>\n The document also outlines the businesses’ commitment to launching 5G in a minimum of one city per EU country by 2020.<\/p>\n 5G is the fifth generation of mobile networks, and is likely to be significantly faster than the currently available 3G and 4G.<\/p>\n In October 2015, the European Parliament voted against amendments backed by Sir Tim Berners-Lee, Netflix and Reddit designed to safeguard net neutrality, creating an unequal internet campaigners fear could stifle future innovation.<\/p>\n