Digital activists have just hours left to, in their alarmist words, “save the Internet." An important European Union public consultation on how to safeguard open Internet access closes on Monday afternoon, and World Wide Web inventor Sir Tim Berners-Lee has urged folk to come out in support of net neutrality.

Europe’s new Telecoms Single Market Regulation came into force on April 30, but the nuts and bolts of how it will operate in practice must be established by the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC).

On June 3, BEREC set out its draft guidelines for implementation. The aim of the public consultation “is to provide BEREC with valuable feedback from stakeholders and to increase transparency.” In reality it has become a battle between net neutrality advocates and telcos—with alarm bells ringing on both sides of the debate.

Two weeks ago, telcos warned—in what critics described as a scaremongering move—that a “strict” interpretation of net neutrality rules would prevent them from being able to invest in 5G tech.

Meanwhile, net neutrality activists have set up a doomsayer campaign of their own over at SaveTheInternet.eu where supporters, currently fast approaching 500,000, can send a form e-mail to BEREC.

Net neutrality fans are encouraged to add their own personal thoughts to the statement and to “speak from the heart.” The campaign claims that “fast lanes for the highest bidder,” would mean everyone else will end up in a “slow lane,” and also urges BEREC to close loopholes such as “zero-rating or class-based traffic management.”

Berners-Lee has characteristically added his voice to the debate. In a letter, co-penned with law professors Barbara van Schewick and Larry Lessig, Sir Tim urged BEREC not to “cave in to telecommunications carriers’ manipulative tactics.”

Anyone else who wants to wade in should e-mail BEREC by 1pm. Contributions should be sent preferably in English, ideally without attachments—although BEREC will accept attachments up to 2MB if absolutely necessary. BEREC promises it will publish a summary of the contributions received.