Verizon Communications on Thursday filed an appeal in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, challenging the Federal Communications Commission's Report and Order on rules dealing with the issue of net neutrality. Verizon is arguing the regulator had overstepped its authority.

"Verizon has long been committed to preserving an open Internet and meeting the needs of our customers. We have worked extensively with all players in the Internet and communications space to shape policies that ensure an open Internet and encourage investment, innovation and collaboration with content providers and others to meet the needs of consumers, said Michael E. Glover, Verizon senior vice president and deputy general counsel.

"Today's filing is the result of a careful review of the FCC's order. We are deeply concerned by the FCC's assertion of broad authority for sweeping new regulation of broadband networks and the Internet itself. We believe this assertion of authority goes well beyond any authority provided by Congress, and creates uncertainty for the communications industry, innovators, investors and consumers," he added.

FCC's rules prevent network operators from blocking lawful content but still let them ration access to their networks.At stake is ensuring consumer access to content such as huge movie files while letting Internet providers manage their networks to prevent congestion.

Verizon's appeal argued that the rules would modify wireless airwave licenses it holds.

The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled last year that the FCC lacked the authority to stop Comcast from blocking bandwidth-hogging applications on its broadband network.