Broadband companies began their assault on the U.S. Federal Communications Commission's net neutrality proposal this week, earlier than most analysts expected.

An industry trade group, USTelecom, which represents the interests of most national broadband companies, filed a petition looking to block the FCC's attempt at reclassifying internet service providers under Title II 'common carrier'.

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"We do not believe the FCC's move to utility-style regulation invoking Title II authority is legally sustainable," said USTelecom President Walter McCormick in a statement. "Therefore, we are filing a petition to protect our procedural rights in challenging the recently adopted open internet order."

USTelecom argues that Title II is an old law, used to regulate the telephone market. The outdated law should not be used to regulate broadband, according to several critics of the FCC's proposal.

Critics claim the FCC's power over the broadband industry will bring innovation to a halt, while stopping actual deals between broadband and internet companies that need to work together on a project that needs special requirements.

The FCC's net neutrality proposal bans network throttling and paid prioritization. It also gives the commission more authority to stop broadband companies from participating in "anti-consumer" activities.

Comcast, AT&T, Verizon, and Time Warner Cable have all shown aggressive lawsuits against the FCC's proposal. Google Fiber is one of the few broadband providers in favor of Title II reclassification, allowing them access to broadband lines previously blocked.

These petitions will be covered over the next few months as the FCC battles against broadband companies, the Republican-backed Congress and the potential 2016 Republican presidential candidates that all disagree with the reclassification.

TagsUSTelecom, Alamo Broadband, FCC, Net Neutrality, Title II