By Fawn Johnson
Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- The CEOs of Verizon Wireless and Google Inc. (GOOG), somewhat unlikely cohorts, teamed up at the final hours before a planned Federal Communications Commission vote on open Internet rules to say they support making existing 'net neutrality' principles enforceable.
In a joint blog posting released late Wednesday, Verizon Wireless CEO Lowell McAdam and Google CEO Eric Schmidt said they think it's important for the Internet to remain an unrestricted and open platform. Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) and Vodafone PLC (VOD).
The FCC is scheduled to vote Thursday on proposed rules that would prevent Internet companies such as Verizon, Comcast Corp. (CMCSA), and AT&T Inc. (T) from selectively blocking or slowing certain Web content and would require providers to disclose how they manage their networks.
The proposal has provoked an onslaught of letters and statements from lawmakers, lobbyists and advocates for and against the rules.
Google and Verizon have been on opposite sides of the debate thus far, and they acknowledged in their joint statement that they still don't agree on all aspects of the FCC's proposal. Verizon supports openness across networks but doesn't see a need for further regulation. Google favors "light-touch" regulation.
But the two companies agree on the following. The FCC's existing broadband principles "make clear that users are in charge of all aspects of their Internet experience, from access to apps and content. So we think it makes sense for the Commission to establish that these existing principles are enforceable, and implement them on a case-by-case basis," the blog said.
Google and Verizon have a working relationship already, which may help bridge their divisions. The two companies are joining forces to produce mobile devices based on the Internet-search giant's Android operating system that will access the telecom heavyweight's network.
Verizon also has consistently supported open networks for the Internet, but it still has reservations about new rules. Earlier Wednesday, however, Verizon Communications CEO Ivan Seidenberg spelled out several concerns with the FCC's proposed rules, which aren't yet public.
Seidenberg said the rules run the risk of favoring Web companies over Internet service providers. If rules are applied more broadly, they could hamper investment in Internet networks.
Still, Google and Verizon signaled their willingness to play ball with the FCC. "We're ready to engage in this important policy discussion," the blog said.
The last-minute lobbying on the proposal also extended to Capitol Hill. On Wednesday, competing groups of senators weighed in with the FCC about the proposal. Republican leaders asked FCC Chairma Julius Genachowski to hold off. Several Senate Democrats, led by staunch net neutrality advocate Byron Dorgan of North Dakota, sent a letter to the FCC supporting the rules.
-By Fawn Johnson, Dow Jones Newswires; 202-862-9263; fawn.johnson@dowjones.com