EU's digital tsar won't rule out two-tier internet

Speaking at a meeting following Europe's consultation on net neutrality, Neelie Kroes, the vice president of the European Commission responsible for the digital agenda, said she supported an unfettered internet, but left room for industries to charge for "special content".

"I consider the internet should remain as it is â€" a best-effort service - but I want to leave the door open to special management services. The network operators and content providers will explore innovative models."

The olive branch to industry

Despite the olive branch to industry, Kroes maintained she fundamentally believed in an open internet governed primarily by competition, transparency and consumer choice.

Kroes suggested customers that are affected by blocked services should move providers, citing the fact that many mobile operators block the Skype VoIP service.