The long-running debate over “net neutrality” – the principle that cable and telecoms companies should not discriminate among different internet services running over their broadband networks – shows no signs of flagging. A deal involving Google and Verizon, one of the biggest US telecoms groups, has only inflamed tensions.

On one side of the debate stand internet companies and activists who want the web to “stay free” and regard attempts by broadband providers to block or degrade services – or provide better access to others for a fee – as anathema. On the other side are broadband providers who want to manage traffic on crowded networks.

The US is not the only country considering net neutrality regulations – so too are Norway, Canada and France, with other European countries including Britain consulting on the idea. Yet efforts by the US Federal Communications Commission to forge a solution are in the vanguard, and the Google-Verizon talks grew out of that.