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Mahateer
ISPs have defended their right to operate a two-speed internet, at a key debate into the future of the web.
The debate was organised by the government, which is keen to see the principles of a free and equal net maintained.
ISPs are increasingly looking to prioritise some traffic on their networks and block some.
After the meeting the BBC called for the creation of a broadband content group to represent content providers.
It, along with content providers such as Google, Yahoo, Facebook and Skype, is growing increasingly concerned about how the issue of net neutrality is being dealt with.
Net neutrality - the principle that all net traffic should be treated equally - has been challenged in recent years as ISPs look to make a return on their increasingly expensive networks.
They argue that if content providers want to pay to get their traffic prioritised on the network, then they should be allowed to do so.
But some content owners and digital activists such as Open Rights Group argue that such a policy would do long-term damage to the internet, which was always conceived as a platform for everyone - not just those with deep pockets.
Net neutrality has been a key issue in Europe and a raft of legislation comes into force in May which will force ISPs to be more open about how they manage the traffic on their network
After the debate, Ed Vaizey, communications minister, made his views clear.
"Internet traffic is growing," he said. "Handling that heavier traffic will become an increasingly significant issue so it was important to discuss how to ensure the internet remains an open, innovative and competitive place.
Commenting about a code of practice drawn up by the Broadband Stakeholders' Group earlier in the week, he said the agreement should be guided by three principles.
"The first is users should be able to access all legal content," he said. "Second, there should be no discrimination against content providers on the basis of commercial rivalry and finally traffic management policies should be clear and transparent."
While Mr Vaizey is reluctant to regulate the industry, he has appointed world wide web inventor Sir Tim Berners-Lee to bang heads together.
But he could struggle to persuade ISPs that all the traffic on their networks should be treated equally.
Jim Killock, director of the ORG, said ISPs were in no mood for compromise at the debate.
"They weren't willing to make any concessions on their ability to manage traffic," he said. "BT even said that if people want to block things they should be able to."
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