Comments To FCC On Net Neutrality Surpass 3 Million On Deadline Day

As the deadline to voice opinions on net neutrality came, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission received more than 3 million comments from consumers, advocates, companies and lawmakers, Reuters reported Monday. The proposal for new Internet traffic rules, set forth by FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, has been a hot topic since April, and has the potential to tip the economic balance on the Web to companies that control access to the home, like cable TV and telcos.

New traffic rules would allow Internet providers to charge other content providers, such as Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX), to deliver “commercially reasonable” Internet speeds to subscribers. Critics say this would create fast and slow "lanes" on the Internet.

Monday was the deadline for interested parties to voice their opinions on net neutrality, which were sent through online submission forms, social media, email and mail. Notably, Americans began flooding the FCC with comments in July following a segment by comedian John Oliver on his HBO show explaining the ramifications of net neutrality.

The number of comments received on net neutrality reportedly now surpass those logged on Janet Jackson accidentally exposing her breast during the 2004 Super Bowl half-time show and comments on the environmental review of the Keystone XL pipeline combined.