The FCC formally opened its inquiry into reclassifying broadband services so that it can establish some rules covering ISPs' obligations regarding non-discrimination, or net neutrality. The agency is looking for feedback over the next two months on three different options for clarifying its authority over the transmission portion of broadband services, having made it clear that it does not intent to regulate Internet content.  

As long predicted, lobbying against FCC efforts to expand its authority into broadband is fierce. The major telcos have been vocal in fighting the efforts, with AT&T most recently threatening to reduce network investment if broadband is reclassified, according to a Wall Street Journal report. 

What once appeared to be a partisan debate turned bipartisan when 72 House Democrats recently wrote to the FCC asking the agency to abandon the reclassification effort. But, as predicted, the agency itself is divided along party lines on this issue, with the three Democratic commissioners voting in favor of launching the inquiry and the two Republicans voting against it.

For more:
- see the FCC announcement
- see this Wall Street Journal article

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