The Federal Communications Commission has voted to advance a proposal that critics call a threat to a free and open Internet. Hundreds of protesters rallied outside the FCC to protest a plan that could allow Internet “fast lanes” by letting companies pay providers for faster access to consumers. The agency will allow 120 days of public comment before issuing final rules. FCC Chair Tom Wheeler spoke before the vote.

Tom Wheeler: “The potential for there to be some kind of a fast lane available to only a few has many people concerned. Personally, I don’t like the idea that the Internet could be divided into haves and have-nots, and I will work to see that that does not happen. In this item, we specifically ask whether and how to prevent the kind of paid prioritization that could result in fast lanes.”

In a statement, the group Free Press said, “Tom Wheeler spoke passionately about the open Internet, but his rousing rhetoric does not match the reality of his proposal.” Thursday’s hearing was repeatedly disrupted by protesters, including Cayman Kai of CodePink, who called for the FCC to classify Internet providers as common carriers to prevent them from providing unequal access.

Cayman Kai: “I speak on behalf of the Internet generation. I grew up on a free and open Internet. We we want to reclassify ISPs as Title II common carriers. A common carrier is required to provide service in general terms and indiscriminately. Reclassify ISPs as Title II common carriers! Save the free and open Internet!”