President Barack Obama on Monday called for increased regulation of Internet service providers (ISP) similar to those of phone companies, a move intended to block the monopolization of broadband and ensure so-called net neutrality.

Obama's remarks reflect his most aggressive stance to date in favor of an open Internet against allowing ISP's to charge extra for providing faster access to content services like Youtube and Netflix.

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The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) should establish a framework that safeguards net neutrality and ensures against the possibility of companies to act as "gatekeeper" that controls what can be seen or done online, Obama said.

The issue comes at a time when the FCC is faced with the task of determining the best way to protect consumers as the Internet continues to become more essential to people's lives.

Earlier, the FCC fielded over 3.5 million comments from concerned consumers after the release of its latest net neutrality plan. Last week, hundreds of Internet activists rallied in front of the White House and on Tuesday in front of FCC chief Tom Wheeler's driveway in protest against the Internet "fast lanes."

Obama urged the FCC to reclassify consumer broadband providers, such as Verizon and Comcast, under Title II of the Communications Act to give the commission increased oversight over how these companies operate.

While controversial, net neutrality advocates argue that a reclassification of ISPs would give the FCC substantial authority to ban broadband providers from blocking Internet traffic or showing preference over certain services over others.

But industry execs swiftly rejected the idea, calling Obama's proposal a "gross overreaction" that doesn't take into account viewpoints.

CTIA-The Wireless CEO Meredith Attwell Baker reiterated the group's commitment in providing consumers with an open Internet.

However, relating the outdated regulations of public utility services to the dynamic broadband ecosystem would undermine the innovation and technology that has characterized the country's leading US$196 billion industry, Baker argued.

TagsBarack Obama, Net Neutrality, Federal Communications Commission, Fast lane, Title II, Communications Act