• The New York Times, Wednesday, May 26, 2010 12:06 AM

Two top Democratic legislators said Monday that they would begin a process to modernize telecommunications laws that were last overhauled in 1996 but barely mention the Internet. Under the change, it would be classified as a telecommunications service, similar to basic telephone service, and would therefore come under more scrutiny by the agency.

The reclassification would give the FCC the authority to implement portions of its recently released National Broadband Plan, as well as to enforce Net neutrality, the concept that Internet service providers must provide consumers with equal access to all types of content and applications.

Internet service providers have generally opposed the proposed reclassification, arguing that the F.C.C. has the authority it needs. They also are wary because the reclassification could give the FCC the authority to regulate rates charged to customers.

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