Google Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. said on late Thursday they support minimal internet regulation and reasonable network management over the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) proposed net neutrality rules.

Google and Verizon would support the creation of a procedural framework that efficiently and effectively provides guidance to all stakeholders and to policymakers concerning practices on the Internet, including the consistency of practices with the values set out above, the two companies said in their filing.

We believe that we need a policy that will ensure openness and preserve the essential character of the Internet as a global, interconnected network of networks and users that is thriving based on a common set of core values.

While we do not agree on every issue, we do agree as a matter of policy that this framework of minimal government involvement should continue going forward, Google and Verizon wrote in the joint comment.

They also said they will support a carefully-defined reasonable network management exception so broadband providers have the flexibility to deal with genuine congestion issues and protect against malware and spamming.

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski proposed on Sept. 21 that the agency develop net neutrality rules that he said would help safeguard a “free and open Internet.”

Net neutrality is the theory that everyone should have equal access to the Web.

The FCC may not act on a final rule proposal until spring, which is when a U.S. appeals court could issue a ruling on whether the FCC has the authority to act on broadband network management issues.