Several Republicans in Congress, including Representative Cliff Stearns of Florida and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas, said Tuesday they will attempt to overturn the FCC's decision when lawmakers return to Washington early next year.

"Since its inception, the Internet has thrived and grown without any federal regulation," Stearns said in a statement. "Without any hint of market failure, the reason for any regulation is nonexistent. Furthermore, the courts have determined that the Federal Communications Commission has no jurisdiction over the Internet."

Others suggested the FCC's action was weak. The rules were heavily influenced by broadband providers, said Craig Aaron, managing director of Free Press, a media reform group that's called for stronger rules.

"We are deeply disappointed that the chairman chose to ignore the overwhelming public support for real net neutrality, instead moving forward with industry-written rules that will for the first time in Internet history allow discrimination online," Aaron said in a statement. "This proceeding was a squandered opportunity to enact clear, meaningful rules to safeguard the Internet's level playing field and protect consumers."

The rules will allow broadband providers to divide the Internet into fast and slow lanes, Aaron added. "No longer can you get to the same Internet via your mobile device as you can via your laptop," he said. "The rules pave the way for AT&T [mobile] to block your access to third-party applications and to require you to use its own preferred applications."