Netnod’s response to the targeted EU-consultation on Internet governance
On 13 November 2024, Netnod was given the opportunity by the EU to comment on the targeted EU-consultation on Internet governance. Netnod is of the firm belief that, moving forward, the EU should focus on three areas.
Firstly, the EU, and nation state actors, need to acknowledge that policy for the Internet itself should be separate from policy for services over the Internet. The fundamental building blocks of the Internet need to be global, and globally coordinated. These building blocks include but are not limited to: globally coordinated IP-address space, globally coordinated domain names, and globally accepted common protocol specifications. As long as these building blocks function the Internet will offer the free flow of information for all use-cases. These building blocks are essential and are today handled in multistakeholder arenas.
Secondly, policy targeting the use of the Internet should target end-users, not the network operators. End-users in this case could be physical persons, or legal entities such as firms or public entities. Network operators should shuffle packets to the best of their ability, not build backdoors which inevitably will be used by foreign powers to strengthen their position regarding the EU or members of the EU.
Thirdly, the EU, and nation state actors, must recognize that the Internet is used for essential services and systems, not only entertainment and pastimes. This requires that the Internet infrastructure is built in a robust and diverse manner so that single cable failures do not lead to measurable effects. For example, public procurement needs to be done in such a way that all publicly procured Internet access for important services requires redundant functions in all layers of the network (optical fibres, switching equipment, routing gear, etc). It’s not only undersea cables that need to be redundant.
Overall, Netnod is positive about the fact that this consultation was conducted, and that Netnod and other actors were invited to contribute views and perspectives on the governance and coordination of the Internet.