Chile becomes first net neutrality nation

Chile has become the first nation to adopt net neutrality into law

Chile has become the first nation to officially put net neutrality principles into law. In a vote by the Chilean legislature, the new law won a near unanimous vote, according to local media.

The new law forces ISPs to "ensure access to all types of content, services or applications available on the network and offer a service that does not distinguish content, applications or services, based on the source of it or their property".

The legislation also requires ISPs to provide parental controls that block objectionable content, as well as requiring written consent before paying for online services and ensuring that ISPs have proper security measures in place.

The amount of support for the bill was surprising, but Chile is looking to expand its technological infrastructure. Around half of the population use the internet on a regular basis, and broadband speeds in metropolitan centres are around 2Mbit/s.

Net neutrality campaigners in other countries will be using this case as a legislative example of how net neutrality could work on a state level.