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The Technical Advisory Group, formed by AT&T, Comcast, Google, Intel, Microsoft and Verizon, said it will consist of engineers and will be led by former Federal Communications Commission CTO Dale Hatfield. Their intention is to minimize disputes over policy questions such as how broadband providers can manage traffic on their networks in the context of the FCC's push for new net neutrality rules.

Their agreement also comes amid a raging debate over FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski's push to assert greater authority over broadband service providers by redefining Internet access as a telecommunications service. Analysts say the FCC could welcome voluntary commitments from the industry to meet its cornerstone objectives on broadband policy. The agency's role as guardian over broadband Internet services was tested by a court case brought by Comcast on a previous net neutrality sanction.

Public interest group Media Access Project said it welcomes the initiative but insists it is an open process.

Over the coming weeks, the group said it would try to "develop consensus on broadband network management practices or other technical issues that can affect users' Internet experience, including the impact from applications, content and devices that utilize the Internet." And the group said in a press release that it would take its suggestions and agreements on what are best practices to the FCC and related consumer protection agencies.

"The TAG will function as a neutral, expert technical forum and promote a greater consensus around technical practices within the Internet community," said Hatfield. "The TAG would consider a number of factors in looking at technical practices, including whether a practice is used by others in the industry; whether alternative technical approaches are available; the impact of a technical practice on other entities; and whether a technical practice is aimed at specific content, applications or companies."

Other participants include DISH Network, EchoStar, Intel, Level 3 Communications and Time Warner Cable. The organizations unanimously expressed their appreciation to Hatfield, one of the most respected engineers in the communications policy field, for his willingness to organize and chair the effort.

Hatfield is currently executive director at the Silicon Flatirons Center and adjunct professor in the interdisciplinary telecommunications at the University of Colorado at Boulder; as well as an independent consultant.