AT&T announced on Wednesday that it would be delaying the construction of its Internet infrastructure in 100 cities until the U.S. Federal Communications Commission finalize its net neutrality rules.

AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson made the announcement after U.S. President Barack Obama said that the agency should consider reclassifying Internet as a utility so that Internet providers can deliver faster service to consumers. The idea gathered opposition from lawmakers and telecommunications companies as it might suppress modernization due to stricter regulations, according to Reuters.

The telecom giant invested on a project that would install its high-speed fiber network in 100 cities in the United States, including Chicago, San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Cleveland and Miami. The infrastructure will allow consumers to access Internet speed as fast as 1 gigabit per second, Bloomberg reported.

"We can't go out and invest that kind of money deploying fiber to 100 cities not knowing under what rules those investments will be governed," Stephenson said at an analyst conference.

Analysts believe that AT&T's announcement will surely pressure FCC in its resolution.

"AT&T has a track record of using its pre-determined investment plans as a carrot or a stick for regulators," said S. Derek Turner, research director for advocacy group Free Press, to USA Today. "The truth is that AT&T's fiber investments were more of a branding exercise than a substantial investment in deployment."

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler is drafting a "hybrid" proposal to expand the agency's authority over broadband Internet service. The bid aims to satisfy both consumers and providers while maintaining the government's authority over the deals offered by the broadband providers.

The FCC is set to release its net neutrality rules by next month. It is uncertain if the announcement will impinge on AT&T's expansion or not, but it is likely to suspend the investment if the decision does not benefit the business.