US telecoms regulator the Federal Communications Commission will decide on new net neutrality rules in February.
FCC spokesperson Kim Hart confirmed in an email on Friday that the timetable for the new rules has been set.
FCC chairperson Tom Wheeler told commissioners he would introduce new rules in February and call a vote on them within weeks, according to a commissioner cited in a report by the Washington Post.
The rules, when established, will end months of wrangling for influence by broadband providers and open-internet advocates over access to the internet.
At issue is the principle of net neutrality: that all users should have equal access to the web.
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It has been challenged by broadband providers who want to charge for premium access by data-heavy users like online film streaming sites.
Net neutrality advocates, including US president Barack Obama, say allowing a so-called "fast lane" could lead to discrimination in access and competitive disadvantage for smaller websites.
Service providers argue they need to charge extra fees for better service to offset their investments in broadband infrastructure.
A federal court last year struck down rules stopping internet providers from playing favourites with content providers, forcing the FCC to draw up new regulations.
While the timetable for the new rules is now clear, what the rules will be is not.
Wheeler has said he supports net neutrality, but has called for a "nuanced" solution.
