Zero rating plans are becoming popular in developing and developed countries. They allow mobile wireless customers to have access to online content without paying data usage charges or having their usage considered within the data usage limits. The greatest benefit from zero rating seems to come from the lower prices for consumers, especially for those unable to afford data plans and from the increasing Internet adoption that these price schemes foster. However, there are concerns that zero rating could harm competition in the Internet access market and reduce diversity of expression, due to the preference by the mobile operators for some content providers vs others. The aim of this workshop is to discuss the impact of zero rating on the open nature of the Internet, on freedom of expression and inclusiveness and to evaluate the overall effect of these practices on social and economic development. The workshop will involve regulators from developed and developing countries, international organizations, representatives from academia, technical organizations and private sector. The focus will be on case studies and on the discussion of the specific characteristics of the markets in which these practices are used (two sided markets, modularity, high degree of market innovation) and on the evaluation of the case by case approach to zero rating suggested by some regulators. The workshop will discuss also, whether competitive market forces would provide sufficient safeguards and how zero rating, by helping in designing better Internet adoption policies, could make more open and inclusive the Internet governance process.
