WASHINGTON, Sept 24 (Reuters) - U.S. regulators have set an Oct. 22 meeting to formally propose a new "net neutrality" rule aimed at ensuring that network operators treat the flow of Internet content without discrimination, the Federal Communications Commission agency said on Thursday.

At a meeting schedule for Oct. 22, the staff is slated to propose incorporating two new principles into four existing principles the FCC issued several years ago. Analysts widely expect a 3-2 vote with FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski and the other two Democrats on the FCC panel in favor of issuing the rules for public comment.

The net neutrality rule would prevent network operators from blocking consumer access to any lawful Internet content, applications and services. Users would also be able to use any nonharmful devices.

Genachowski said on Monday that the two new principles would prohibit operators from discriminating against any Internet applications or content and would require operators to disclose their management practices for Web traffic.

The rule would probably force U.S. phone companies to open their wireless networks to rival Internet services like eBay Inc's (EBAY.O) Skype and Google Inc's (GOOG.O) voice services.

That could result in mobile customers cutting their phone bills by opting for minimum voice plans and doing without text-messaging plans if they use mobile voice and text services from Skype and Google.

The new rule is being considered as the FCC examines why Apple Inc (AAPL.O) rejected the Google Voice application for use on its popular iPhone, sold by AT&T Inc (T.N).

The proposal, if adopted, would be a victory for consumer advocates and big Internet companies like Google at the expense of telecom operators like AT&T, Verizon Communications Inc (VZ.N) and Sprint Nextel Corp (S.N). (Reporting by John Poirier; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)

Source://http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN2444717720090924