With the August 9-released policy statement by Google, in conjunction with Verizon Wireless, having garnered widespread criticism, Google has recently defended its stance, denying that it had dashed the Federal Communications Commission’s network neutrality principles.

The Google-Verizon proposal, which chiefly calls for exclusion of wireline operators from discriminating against any applications, content and other traffic on the open Internet, has been attacked from all corners of the Web, with the protestors claiming that Google was apparently reversing its earlier standpoint of strict principles for an open Internet.

Since the net neutrality principle essentially justifies the need for fair competition for Web content over broadband pipes, the proposal put forth by Google and Verizon has visibly irked certain factions because it falls short of extending the principles to wireless networks.

While members of the Media and Democracy Coalition (MDC) expressed the concern that the Google-Verizon proposal may throttle innovation in a still-evolving market, the two companies have rebuffed such issues.

In its letter to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, the MDC noted that if the net neutrality principles do not cover wireless networks, it “could further widen the digital divide, particularly for those that rely primarily or exclusively on wireless Internet access, as do many individuals in rural areas, and many low-income consumers. It may also create a barrier to entry by independent creators, entrepreneurs and startups.”