Abstract

This paper analyses the debate about impact of zero-rating - the commercial practice of excluding some traffic from overall data caps - on market and consumers. Some authors describe the potential negative effect of zero rating practices on competition, and the conflict with the safeguard of net neutrality principle and pluralism of information. Others underline the potential benefits associated with zero-rating, such as promoting broadband access in the disadvantaged areas of the planet. So, the legislative initiatives in the US and EU introduce an assessment of costs and benefits on zero rating practices by National Regulatory Authorities-NRA. Authorities monitor the operators' conducts and verify that providers comply with their obligations concerning the safeguarding of open internet access by a «case by case approach» converted into an administrative procedure.