expanding the rules to cover wireless networks.

The company would be "very disappointed if [the FCC] has already drawn a conclusion to regulate wireless services despite the absence of any compelling evidence of problems or abuse that would warrant government intervention," said Jim Cicconi, AT&T's senior executive vice president of external and legislative affairs.

FCC officials said they would work with phone companies to develop rules that wouldn't create problems for wireless networks.

"I am convinced that there are few goals more essential in the communications landscape than preserving and maintaining an open and robust Internet," Mr. Genachowski said in his speech Monday at the Brookings Institution, a Washington think tank.

Strengthening FCC rules on Web traffic is a top priority of consumer groups and Internet advocates who supported President Barack Obama in his run for the White House.