FCC vows to fight on after net neutrality defeat

The FCC said that its recent court loss will not change its broadband plans

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has refocused its efforts following a recent courtroom defeat over net neutrality regulations.

An FCC statement released on Thursday said that it will not make any significant changes to its plans following an appeals court decision earlier this week.

The Federal Appeals Court ruled unanimously against the FCC, allowing internet service provider Comcast to limit user access based on the applications and sites being accessed.

The FCC said that the setback would not hamper its major efforts, including a plan to extend broadband internet access to millions of Americans in underserved areas.

"The court decision earlier this week does not change our broadband policy goals, nor the ultimate authority of the FCC to act to achieve those goals," said FCC chairman Julius Genachowski.

"The court did not question the FCC's goals, it merely invalidated one technical, legal mechanism for broadband policy chosen by prior Commissions."

When completed, the planned broadband network will extend broadband services of up to 100Mbit/s to more than 100 million US households.

The FCC is also planning to create a section of the wireless broadband spectrum open to all mobile devices regardless of manufacturer.