The chairman of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has reportedly proposed a slew of "strong" measures to ensure that the principles of net neutrality are upheld.
Describing his vision as the "strongest open internet protections ever proposed by the FCC," Tom Wheeler said in an article that he intended to impose new restrictions on how fixed line and mobile broadband providers handle data, reported the BBC.
Wheeler explained that he wanted to reclassify internet service providers (ISPs) to make them like any other public utility, in order to ensure that they can be regulated by the watchdog.
He proposed a series of enforceable, bright-line rules that will prohibit paid prioritisation, and the blocking and throttling of lawful content and services.
Wheeler spelled his vision by saying that he wanted to ensure that internet users have the right to go where they want, when they want, and innovators have the freedom to introduce new products without asking for anyone's permission.
He said, "I propose to fully apply - for the first time ever - those bright-line rules to mobile broadband."
The principle of net neutrality stipulates that all packets of data, whether it be an email, a webpage or a video, are treated equally on the network.