The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has advanced on Thursday a new "net neutrality" proposal that prohibits Internet service providers (ISPs) from preventing user access to websites, but may allow them to charge companies and individual users for faster Internet traffic. 

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The proposed new net neutrality rules have been criticized for the undue and unfair advantages it will bring. Tech companies and consumer advocates argued that the new rules will lead to a "fast lane" for ISPs and discriminate many Internet users and content companies that depend on faster traffic from the Web. 

A fast lane, or 'paid prioritization' in technical terms, refers to preferred Internet traffic given to those who paid more. ISPs will give preferential treatment to individual users and companies who are willing to pay more for faster Internet traffic. 

However, those who wouldn't want to pay, or don't have the means to pay, would have to live with a slower Internet access. 

Consumer advocates protested the new rules proposed by Chairman Tom Wheeler of the FCC. Wheeler has been under fire from concerned groups, individuals and even well-known, established companies for months since his office announced its plans. 

Companies such as Google, Facebook, Netflix and Amazon saw the new proposed rules as a 'grave threat' to an open Internet. According to them, FCC's proposed rules would let ISPs discriminate against content providers. 

Consumer advocates want the FCC to reclassify ISPs the way it did with telephone companies - as utilities. Broadband companies and Republicans in both FCC and Congress oppose the reclassification suggestion. Currently, ISPs are less-regulated providers of information services. 

Wheeler, whose plan is under much criticism for months, said that he won't allow the Internet's openness be compromised. 

"The prospect of a gatekeeper choosing winners and losers on the Internet is unacceptable," Wheeler said. 

The vote on Thursday opens what the FCC calls a 'comment-and review' period. Once this process is over, it will lead to a second vote and a final ruling will be expected before the year ends.

Tagsfast lanes, FCC, Net Neutrality, Open Internet