Net neutrality rules which prevented broadband providers from discriminating against certain websites have been officially rolled back in the US, even as opposition groups fight to save the regulations.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted 3-2 to repeal the Obama-era rules in December in what was seen as a major victory for Republicans who had pledged to scrap the rules.

Under those regulations, introduced in 2015 and which expired on Monday, internet providers had been required to treat all websites fairly, preventing them from charging more for so-called "fast lanes" and blocking traffic to others.

FCC chairman Ajit Pai had argued repealing the rules would make broadband providers "offer people a wider variety of service options".

In a piece published last week in CNET, Mr Pai had said it would "protect consumers and promote better, faster internet access and more competition", as well as prompt more investment in networks.

He said before the rules had been introduced "Facebook, Amazon, and Google went from small start-ups to global tech giants... America's internet economy became the envy in the world."