The US telecom regulator Federal Communications Commission (“FCC") has reportedly voted unanimously for the implementation of the so-called “Net Neutrality" regulation, which is aimed at preventing Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and cable companies from blocking or restricting access to legal web site contents and applications. If enacted, the open Internet rule, which is presently applicable to wireline networks, will be extended to wireless.

All five FCC commissioners (including the FCC chairman Julius Genachowski), represented by three democrats and two republicans voted in favor of the proposed new rule, which will now invite public comments, a process which is expected to continue till Jan 14, 2010. This will be followed by the review of the public feedback by the FCC with a final rule is expected not before March 2010. However, the republicans remain skeptical about the proposed rule.

The net neutrality regulation, which consists of a set of proposals, represents the first