In a 240-179 vote, the Republican-controlled House repealed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) 's network-neutrality rules on Friday over concerns that they overstep the Commission's authority and could freeze service-provider investments in broadband.

"The FCC power grab would allow it to regulate any interstate communication service on barely more than a whim and without any additional input from Congress," said legislation sponsor Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), according to the Associated Press.

The FCC passed the rules in a 3-2 vote last December, banning mobile and fixed broadband service providers from blocking and discriminating against legal content and applications. There's also a transparency provision that requires carriers to explain how they are managing their networks, though the FCC rules does allow them to use "reasonable network management."

Why this matters
The repeal keeps the FCC rules in hot water. However, the Democrat-controlled Senate isn't expected to go along with today's House vote. On top of that, White House, which has pressed for the rules from the get-go, has already threatened to veto a bill that overturns them.

The FCC rules are also facing legal threats from Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) and MetroPCS Inc. (NYSE: PCS).

For more
Missed a turn on the net-neutrality roller coaster? Get yourself caught up by checking the stories below:

• Court Tosses Out Net Neutrality Challenge
• The FCC Strikes Back
• MetroPCS Joins Fight Against Net Neutrality Rules
• Verizon Fights Net Neutrality Order
• FCC Votes to Approve Net Neutrality Rules
• Net Neutrality Ruling: FCC Loses, Comcast Wins

— Jeff Baumgartner, Site Editor, Light Reading Cable