Washington, Ramadan 9, 1437, Jun 14, 2016, SPA -- A US court on Tuesday ruled in favour of regulations to maintain net neutrality, the second time internet providers have failed in their attempts to overturn the rules on broadband speeds. In rejecting arguments brought by such US telecom giants as Comcast and Verizon, judges of the US Appeals Court affirmed 2-1 that the providers must act as neutral transmission platforms and treat all content equally, rather than giving paying customers better service. The decision is a success for internet firms such as Google and Netflix - but the matter could still go to the Supreme Court. Last year the US telecommunications regulator FCC approved basic ground rules that would not allow so-called fee-based "fast lanes" for certain content. The term net neutrality means all data, internet applications and websites be given the same access in terms of speed and cost by providers. Telecommunication companies have complained that the rules would stifle business innovation and investment. "Today's ruling is a victory for consumers and innovators who deserve unfettered access to the entire web," FCC head Tom Wheeler said in a statement. "After a decade of debate and legal battles, today's ruling affirms the Commission's ability to enforce the strongest possible internet protections - both on fixed and mobile networks - that will ensure the internet remains open, now and in the future." --SPA 22:59 LOCAL TIME 19:59 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w