Equal Opportunities for Content in Networks and on Platforms?

The initial point for the conference on 4 June 2008 was the proposition that developments in the area of networks and platforms may indeed create new opportunities, but may also prejudice access to content and service quality for users.

The basis consisted of lectures on the latest development in net technologies: what potential for discrimination do Next Generation Networks have? What will be the consequences of the shift towards IP-networks for the distribution of content? What effects do the means of distribution have on power shifts in television?

A further unit dealt with the economic consequences of technological developments: Which are the new revenue models and supply chains that arise? Which consequences does the neutrality or lack thereof, of the net have for its expansion, on the one hand, and for the refinancing of content, on the other hand?

Subsequently, regulatory questions at the junction of content and transmission method were discussed. How far have power shifts in broadcasting occurred between staging an event and its distribution? Who regulates the access to the user? Which rules exist in terms of national and European law? Is adjustment required?