California regulators are nixing a plan to tax mobile phone messaging following a ruling by federal telecommunications regulators.

The controversial "text tax," which drew opposition from wireless providers and business groups, had originally been introduced as a means to fund programs that make phone service accessible to low-income residents.

The Federal Communications Commission last week classified messaging as an information service rather than a telecommunications service. California Public Utilities Commissioner Carla Peterman withdrew the plan "in light of the FCC's action" on Dec. 12, regulators said Friday.

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The surcharge would have supported the Public Purpose Program budget amid declining telecom industry revenue, which currently funds the program. But opponents attacked the plan for taxing a widely used communications tool.

The wireless industry disputed the legality of the tax plan, which was estimated to raise about $44.5 million per year, according to the California Chamber of Commerce. The telecom firms said the text tax could be applied retroactively and cost state taxpayers $220 million.

The FCC ultimately sided with wireless companies, which argued that texting is an information service similar to email and not a telecommunications service over which the agency has authority. Federal law limits state authority over information services.

-- The Associated Press contributed to this report.