President Barack Obama on Monday urged the Federal Communication Committee to apply tough net-neutrality rules for web traffic.
The New York Times reported that the president favored the toughest possible net-neutrality rules and opposed a deal that service providers would pay huge amounts to broadband companies for faster Internet.
Reuters noted that the FCC had proposed a plan that prohibited providers from blocking content, but allowed for deals where providers could pay for faster delivery.
In video posted on the White House website, Obama asked that the FCC reclassify broadband to regulate it like a public utility company.
The president simply asked that the FCC apply strict rules because as an independent agency, he cannot make them to do so.
The president also wants strict net-neutrality rules to apply to mobile Internet and landline access. The agency, which is headed by Chairman Tom Wheeler, who was appointed by President Obama last year, said that the FCC is considering those suggestions as well.