According to a recent Reuters article, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission took a step to address a growing debate on whether high-speed Internet providers like AT&T and Comcast should be barred from charging extra fees to guarantee access to the Internet.

The article reports that the five commissioners backed a proposal yesterday to start a "notice of inquiry" regarding broadband industry practices.

Net neutrality, the concept of broadband providers treating all Internet content in the same way, has been the subject of much debate among lawmakers. Their main concern is that if broadband providers charge extra fees for more reliable service, that they would also be able to block access to the Internet—a contention that broadband providers say is untrue.

For more information, check out the full Reuters article FCC to Examine Future of Internet Access.