BT, Sky and TalkTalk make open internet commitment

BT, Sky and TalkTalk are among the internet service providers (ISPs) that have signed up to a new voluntary code of practice seeking to encourage 'open' internet access.

Under the code, broadband providers must commit to delivering full and open internet products, without using traffic management policies to adversely affect services offered by their rivals.

Among the new commitments outlined in the code is the requirement to provide greater clarity in instances when legal content cannot be accessed via a certain product. If this is not the case, the product in question may not be marketed as delivering "internet access".

Ten ISPs have committed to following these measures, with other signatories including Be Broadband, KC, O2 and Plusnet.

However, a number of notable providers - among them Virgin Media and Vodafone - refused to put pen to paper on the code.

Welcoming the voluntary agreement, Communications Minister Ed Vaizey said: "The internet has been built on openness and low barriers to entry, and this agreement will ensure that continues.

"By committing to transparency, these ISPs are empowering their customers to make informed decisions about the services they want."