FSF - Free Software Foundation Europe
FSF - Free Software Foundation Europe
03/30/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/30/2021 00:54
FSFE launches the Router Freedom Activity Package
on: 2021-03-30
In the context of reform of telecommunication laws, EU member states are currently implementing legislation with direct impact on Router Freedom. The FSFE has launched an activity package for organisations and individuals to raise awareness and empower them to advocate for users' device sovereignty in their countries.
Router Freedom is the right that consumers of any Internet Service Provider (ISP) have to choose and use a private modem and router instead of equipment that the ISP provides. Since 2013, the Free Software Foundation Europe has been successfully engaged with Router Freedom, promoting end-users' freedom to choose and use their own terminal equipment - first in Germany as a precedence, and now in many European countries.
In the context of reform of telecommunications law, a new set of rules has been adopted by the European Union which will directly impact Router Freedom on the 27 EU member states. The FSFE has been following closely the developments and actively taken part on consultation initiatives on the European level and also in legislative processes countries which are ahead in adopting such rules, as Austria, Germany and Greece.
Although the new rules will provide more clarity in several aspects concerning end-users rights, the awareness for Router Freedom is low across Europe. Active participation of local communities in the legislative processes of laws impacting the ability end-users to choose their network devices is crucial for leveraging the protection of Router Freedom in national jurisdictions.
Therefore, the FSFE has prepared an activity package for individuals and organisations who want to communicate with regulators and decision makers of their countries and make a stand for Router Freedom. The package consists of an activity summary, a monitoring map, an end-user experience survey and a wiki page with relevant information for local engagement.
Activity Summary
The Protecting Router Freedom in Europe - Activity Summary (.pdf) aims to provide everyone the necessary information to raise awareness of the urgency of protecting Router Freedom. It contains the positive arguments in favour of Router Freedom based on the FSFE's years of successful experience. The report also presents an overview of the current state of affairs in Europe and how people can participate and collaborate in their countries to improve their situation with Router Freedom.
Monitoring Map
The FSFE has been monitoring the rules regarding Router Freedom in Europe. The map below tracks how EU member states are implementing the identification of the Network Termination Point (NTP), a technical definition which determines the limits of ISP's and end-users networks. You can obtain information by clicking on each country icon. The tracker will be updated regularly.
Router Freedom Survey
Regulators have been extremely conservative in reporting the problems and issues consumers are facing with ISPs' abusive commercial practices against their rights. We want to better understand end-users? experience in Europe with our Router Freedom survey. Every opinion counts - it will take only a few minutes.
Wiki Page
The Router Freedom wiki page contains the necessary information for people to get active in communicating with national regulators, consumer organisations and political representatives. It is also an excellent point for first contact with Router Freedom.
The Future of Router Freedom in Europe
Long-term engagement is only enabled by your help. You can make a difference by joining us spreading the word, sharing your experience, contacting the authorities of your country and becoming a sustaining supporter of the FSFE.
'As most charity organisations, our resources are limited. While we achieved Router Freedom in Germany as a precedence, and currently actively engage in the legislative processes in Greece and Austria, we cannot do so in all 27 EU member states. That is why we need your help and your experience with national legislation and the local media landscape. Such an ambitious goal - establishing Router Freedom in all over Europe - requires collaboration of many people!', says Lucas Lasota, FSFE Project Manager.