US Court Partially Overturns Net Neutrality Regulations:

The USA's Court of Appeals has partially overturned a regulatory ruling that imposed so-called net neutrality rules on internet services in the country.

The regulator, the FCC had imposed the rules that require all internet content to be treated transparently and without bias, but Verizon challenged the order, and secured part of what it wanted.

The Open Internet Order, which was passed in December 2010 only applies to landline internet providers. Mobile networks are still able to moderate internet traffic if they feel the need to.

Verizon has argued that in addition to poor policy making, that the ruling effectively blocks its First Amendment rights.

The court ruled that the FCC had not correctly justified its imposition of net neutrality on the telecoms networks, but has said that the FCC has the general authority to regulate how ISPs treat internet traffic.

In a statement, the Chairman of the FCC, Tom Wheeler said that the regulator "will consider all available options, including those for appeal, to ensure that these networks on which the Internet depends continue to provide a free and open platform for innovation and expression, and operate in the interest of all Americans."

Kenya's Safaricom Warned Against Raising Telecoms Taxes:

Kenya's largest mobile network operator, Safaricom had warned the government against raising more taxes on mobile money services saying that they would adversely affect the poorer people of the country.

Safaricom's CEO, Bob Collymore said that tax rises could put its M-Pesa mobile money service beyond the reach of the poor, leading to a decline in financial inclusion, especially in rural areas.

The company has already absorbed a 10% tax that was imposed last year, at a cost of US$4.6 million to date.

Collymore added that around 28% of total telecoms revenues already go to the taxman.

The warning came as local county governments have started adding their own charges on telecoms networks, especially on infrastructure permits, and are said to be looking at adding taxes on local mobile money transactions.

Nigerian Group Demands $3.6 Billion in Compensation for Poor Phone Service:

A Nigerian consumer rights group is demanding that the big four GSM mobile networks offer N602 billion (US$3.6 billion) worth of airtime credit for poor services.

The National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS) has made the demand and petitioned the telecoms networks own trade association and the telecoms regulator.

NATCOMS has demanded that mobile networks offer N5,000 to each subscriber as a way of compensating them for the poor quality of services

With nearly 120 million subscribers, the compensation claim could reach $3.6 billion for the industry.

However, the consumer rights group has no way of enforcing its demand, and would have to seek legal action to force any such payments.