Parliament Against Government and Industry: How Switzerland Decided to Implement Net Neutrality Against All Odds

Authors

  • Natascha Just University of Zurich, Department of Communication and Media Research, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Manuel Puppis Department of Communication and Media Research DCM, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland

Keywords:

net neutrality, policy-making process, qualitative content analysis, small states, Switzerland

Abstract

This article investigates the net neutrality policy-making process in Switzerland in the past decade, from first attempts to regulate net neutrality to the implementation of regulation in 2019. Based on a qualitative content analysis, the study assesses the arguments employed by various policy-making actors to advocate or prevent particular governance solutions. Results of the empirical analysis show that early attempts to regulate net neutrality failed, but discussions about its handling were continued during the revision of the Telecommunications Act. Though the government was ultimately in favor of including only transparency requirements in law, parliament stood up to government and industry and proposed a net neutrality regulation that is inspired by EU legislation.

Author Biographies

Natascha Just, University of Zurich, Department of Communication and Media Research, Zurich, Switzerland

Natascha Just is Professor of Communication Studies and Chair of the Media and Internet Governance Division at the Department of Communication and Media Research (IKMZ), University of Zurich, Switzerland. Her research focuses on media and Internet policy, with emphasis on competition issues, changing governance structures, PSM, Internet algorithms and platforms.

Manuel Puppis, Department of Communication and Media Research DCM, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland

Manuel Puppis is Professor for Media Systems and Media Structures at the Department of Communication and Media Research DCM, University of Fribourg, Switzerland. His research interests include media policy, regulation and governance, media systems in a comparative perspective, as well as media organizations and digitization. 

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Published

2019-11-14

Issue

Vol. 13 (2019)

Section

Articles

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