The letter was a response to a slew of letters received by the FCC opposing the proposed rules, which would stop Internet service providers from charging more money for certain types of Internet traffic and discriminating against certain Internet users. Letters from 72 House Democrats have warned the FCC about the negative consequences that government involvement might have on network investments.

For the past four years, the FCC has followed Net-neutrality principles. Last month, however, Genachowski announced a plan to make those principles rules.

The FCC is expected to release additional information on the Net-neutrality debate during its meeting Thursday where it will take a vote on issuing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, which is the first step it must make in the process.

For an Open Internet

At the core of the controversy are proposed rules that would guarantee Internet users access to any Web site and any online service they choose. Cable and phone companies, for example, would not be allowed to block users from using less-expensive Internet calling services or block competing video Web sites.

"For most of the Internet's history, FCC rules have ensured that consumers have been able to choose the content and services they want over their Internet connections," said the technology giants' letter, made available by The Wall Street Journal. "Entrepreneurs, technologies and venture capitalists have previously been able to develop new online products and services with the guarantee of neutral, non-discriminatory access by users, which has fueled an unprecedented era of economic growth and creativity."

The letter adds that America's leadership in technology has been due, in large part, to an open Internet. The executives applauded the FCC's move to ensure an open Internet.

The Opposition

Not everyone supports the FCC's effort to preserve an open Internet. Besides the letters from the 72 Democrats, CTIA - the Wireless Association has opposed Net neutrality, saying there shouldn't be regulation unless there is a market failure.

"If the commission had set rules on the wireless side 18 months ago, there would have been no (Motorola) Razr, no (Apple) iPhone 3G, no Palm Pre or none of the four (Research In Motion) BlackBerry phones, Google (Android) phones, or application stores," said Chris Guttman-McCabe, vice president of regulatory affairs at CTIA.

There are holes in the FCC's proposed rules in that they only address Internet service providers, according to Guttman-McCabe.

"My concern is, specifically, that the commission is contemplating a set of rules established and written for landline businesses, and when they were written they specifically carved out wireless," he said.

"We have a job to explain why this is not necessary and why this is dangerous in the wireless space," Guttman-McCabe added. "The way we look at it, we have a job to do, and that is to educate the FCC."