Net neutrality - How relevant is it to Australia?

This paper defines net neutrality as a restriction on price differentiation or price discrimination by firms involved in the distribution and transport of online content and applications. Many argue that net neutrality is a uniquely American problem brought about by an abandonment of access regulation and a lack of competition in the retail provision of broadband Internet access. This paper reviews the issues at the core of the net neutrality debate and assesses their relevance to Australia. It concludes that the combination of strong competition in the provision of broadband Internet access, widespread adoption of volumetric pricing by ISPs and the existence of a well established regulatory framework for dealing with discriminatory behaviour negates the need for specific net neutrality regulation in Australia.