Sunrise expands cooperation with Whatsapp
Starting March 1, 2016, WhatsApp will be included for all Sunrise Freedom subscribers in Switzerland without using up their data allowance. Does this partnership constitute a violation of net neutrality?
Sunrise entered into a cooperation agreement with Whatsapp back in spring 2014. Since then, Whatsapp messaging data has been included in all MTV mobile Freedom subscriptions for the youth segment under 30 years of age. In the future, the data volume caused by the use of the app will no longer be deducted from the high-speed data volume of all Sunrise Freedom subscriptions, as Sunrise announced in a statement on Friday.
Violation of net neutrality?
Advocates of a strict interpretation of net neutrality )such as the digital society Switzerland) see the cooperation with Whatsapp as a violation of network neutrality, as Sunrise treats data on the network unequally and puts alternative messaging services at a disadvantage. Over time, they fear, no more independent innovative services will emerge.
In contrast, the arbitration board for network neutrality, which was founded by the cable operators at the end of 2015, provides, according to its code of conduct (Werbewoche.ch reported) only stipulates that network providers may not block services. Offers tailored to customers are to be permitted. There has not yet been any legal regulation of network neutrality. (sis)
