The agency also proposes to enhance government oversight of such deals to ensure that they don't harm competition or limit free speech, according to a senior FCC official familiar with the matter. The official wasn't authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. FCC chairman Tom Wheeler is scheduled to present the proposed rules to the agency's four other commissioners on Thursday.

The so-called "net neutrality" rules have been hotly debated among policymakers, internet providers and content companies such as Netflix. Without regulation, say consumer advocates, giant conglomerates —citing business or political reasons—could limit consumers from freely accessing certain types of content.