President Obama has made his strongest statement on net neutrality to date. He is calling on the FCC to regulate it just as any other utility. He is also calling on broadband providers to stop charging Web content producers for paid traffic prioritization.

Obama said in a video message: Reclassifying broadband would “keep the Internet free and open."

“I’m asking [the FCC] to recognize that, for most Americans, the Internet has become an essential part of everyday communication and everyday life.”

Obama's proposal clashes with FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler’s plan. Wheeler's plan would have allowed broadband providers to engage in “commercially reasonable” traffic management.

The FCC is a independent organization and not subject to Obama's oversight. But the issue of net neutrality has garnered 4 million comments in the FCC’s ongoing net neutrality proceeding, and many of those people have asked the FCC to ensure that “consumers, not the cable company, gets to decide what sites they use,” Obama said.