MANILA, Philippines – The United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Tom Wheeler backed an open Internet Wednesday, February 4, in a first-person essay on tech website Wired.

Wheeler proposed using the FCC’s authority to regulate the Internet as a public utility, implementing and enforcing open Internet protections.

In his essay, Wheeler wrote:

Using this authority, I am submitting to my colleagues the strongest open Internet protections ever proposed by the FCC. These enforceable, bright-line rules will ban paid prioritization, and the blocking and throttling of lawful content and services. I propose to fully apply– for the first time ever – those bright-line rules to mobile broadband. My proposal assures the rights of internet users to go where they want, when they want, and the rights of innovators to introduce new products without asking anyone’s permission.

In a series of tweets, Wheeler added: “It’s time to put in place rules to preserve the #OpenInternet that has become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Consumers must be able to access lawful content w/o interference from gatekeepers. I ask my fellow Commissioners to join me.”

It’s time to put in place rules to preserve the #OpenInternet that has become an indispensable part of our daily lives. #TitleII

— Tom Wheeler (@TomWheelerFCC) February 4, 2015

Consumers must be able to access lawful content w/o interference from gatekeepers. I ask my fellow Commissioners to join me. #OpenInternet

— Tom Wheeler (@TomWheelerFCC) February 4, 2015

NPR wrote that for US Internet users, this would protect and enhance existing practices for Internet use and make it easier for companies to offer certain services in the future without needing to go into business with Internet service providers for favorable service.

The Verge adds that Wheeler’s proposal still needs to be voted on by the FCC on February 26. With only two Republican opponents on the 5-member commission, it should pass internally. Congress may be another matter, however, as it might try to water down the FCC’s authority through legislation.

Wheeler’s proposal came after an earlier FCC decision to redefine broadband in the US as having a minimum download speed of 25 Megabits per second. – Rappler.com