FCC plan to legislate equal Internet access to all raises passions

Washington

US REGULATORS meet on Thursday to vote on rules aimed at heading off Internet "fast lanes", although it may not be the end of a years-long battle.

The "net neutrality" rules which seek to guarantee equal access to all online services are likely to spark fresh challenges in court and efforts in Congress to nullify or revamp the plan.

Federal Communications Commission chairman Tom Wheeler earlier this month unveiled the plan to regulate broadband Internet service providers as "public utility" carriers, revamping the agency's rules struck down by a federal court last year.

The rule-making effort elicited an unprecedented four million comments, with passion…