WASHINGTON - The government's latest push to make sure consumers get equal access to the Internet faces a key legal test as a federal appeals court considers whether to treat high-speed service providers like public utilities. 

Cable and telecom industry groups on Friday urged a three-judge panel to throw out new regulations that forbid online content from being blocked or channeled into fast and slow lanes. 

But two judges hearing arguments in the case seemed at times sympathetic to government attorneys arguing that the Federal Communications Commission had authority to approve the rules in February. 

The rules have won praise from consumer advocates and content companies such as Netflix. Broadband companies like Comcast, Verizon and AT&T say they threaten innovation and undermine investment.