"It has been clear for some time that there were three votes at the commission for rules that would go much farther than those adopted today," he said in a statement. "Thus, the question before us has been whether rules could be drafted in a manner that avoids a raft of unintended consequences and that preserves broadband providers' ability to innovate and invest in a marketplace that justly represents a great American success story."

The Computer and Communications Industry Association, a trade group representing tech companies, complained, however, that the rules fall short of the protections needed for Internet users and companies. The rules, without action to reclassify broadband as a regulated service, leaves net neutrality on weak legal ground, the CCIA said in a statement.

Web-based voice provider Skype applauded the FCC's decision to prohibit mobile broadband providers from blocking competing services.

"On balance, this decision advances the goal of keeping the Internet an open and unencumbered medium for Skype users," Christopher Libertelli, Skype's senior director of government a regulatory affairs in the Americas, said in a statement. "This decision protects a consumer's entitlement to use Skype on their mobile devices and we look forward to delivering further innovation in this area."

The IDG News Service