Netflix among tech firms that may have to pay towards broadband costs in Europe

Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefonica, Telecom Italia and other operators lobbied for two decades to get leading technology companies to contribute to 5G and broadband roll-out.

The tech firms call it an internet tax that will undermine EU network neutrality rules. Pic: Jason Alden/Bloomberg

Tech giants including Google parent company Alphabet, Facebook owner Meta, and streaming platform Netflix could be forced to pay some network costs following a consultation into the future of Europe’s telecoms sector.

The European Commission launched the consultation on Thursday following two decades of lobbying by Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefonica, Telecom Italia and other operators to get leading technology companies to contribute to 5G and broadband roll-out.