A sizable coalition of technology companies has today taken a stand in favor of net neutrality in the form of a letter to the Federal Communications Commission. The group, led by giants including Amazon, eBay, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Netflix, Twitter, and Yahoo, challenges a proposal the FCC is considering that threatens net neutrality.

While the letter does not explicitly mention a course of action — like calling on the FCC to regulate internet service providers as utilities — the coalition strongly espouses the benefits of an open internet. "The Commission's long-standing commitment and actions undertaken to protect the open internet are a central reason why the internet remains an engine of entrepreneurship and economic growth," the group writes. "This Commission should take the necessary steps to ensure that the internet remains an open platform for speech and commerce so that America continues to lead the world in technology markets."

The letter marks a first time some influential tech companies, like Amazon, have formally expressed a stance on net neutrality regulations since news of the FCC proposal broke on April 23rd. The letter signifies that technology companies have found a united front in calling for open internet rules that preserve the key non-discrimination principle of net neutrality.

While the FCC's rules are still in the proposal phase, they have been widely condemned by internet advocates. The proposal may also face fresh internal scrutiny; today, FCC commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel called for a time-out on the rules, challenging the proposal's viability. If the FCC still decides to move forward, it will officially consider the rules on May 15th — but its uphill climb for public approval is now steeper than ever.

The full text of the letter can be read below, and a full list of signatories can be seen here.