Over 100 heavyweight tech firms have written an open letter to the Federal Communications Commission, opposing its new "net neutrality" plan that would regulate how internet providers manage web traffic.

"According to recent news reports, the Commission intends to propose rules that would enable phone and cable Internet service providers to discriminate both technically and financially against Internet companies and to impose new tolls on them," says the letter."If these reports are correct, this represents a grave threat to the Internet."The letter argues that an open internet has served as the platform for opportunity and economic growth for America, and calls on the FCC to "take the necessary steps to ensure that the Internet remains an open platform for speech and commerce." It is signed by many well-known companies such as Google, Microsoft, Netflix, Zynga, and Amazon, as well as many smaller start-ups.FCC chairman Tom Wheeler intends to put forward his proposal for public comment next week, despite FCC commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel's suggestion that the plan by delayed at least a month.

Katie Williams is a freelance writer and games journalist. She tweets at @desensitisation and hopes that one day, a bird will tweet back.