Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai defended the FCC repeal of net neutrality rules.
Pai's comments came in a Monday interview on "CBS This Morning."
The rules were aimed at ensuring that Internet service providers treat all content and traffic equally, the network news said.
"It's going to be a tremendously positive thing for consumers," Pai said. "When I talk to consumers . . . their No. 1 concern about the Internet is that they want better, faster, cheaper Internet access [and] more competition.
"These rules were standing in the way of companies, big and small, making the decisions to spend money building these networks. Building these networks is hard, and it's expensive. The heavier the regulatory burden, the less likely they are to do it."
He said companies are already pouring in money to start building the necessary networks.
And he maintained rules are in place to protect consumers.
"We've empowered the FTC to take action against any company that might act in any competitive way," Pai said. "The consumer is going to be protected and we preserve the incentive for companies to build out better, faster, and cheaper Internet access."
In a column for CNET, Pai wrote:
"I support a free and open Internet. The Internet should be an open platform where you are free to go where you want, and say and do what you want, without having to ask anyone's permission."