Lauren Gibbons

Chairman Pai says net neutrality debate detracts from broadband access issue

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai said that the controversy over the dismantling of federal network neutrality rules is distracting from "the issue of our time" - universal internet access. Chairman Pai dubbed criticism of the administration's position on net neutrality as politically charged "apocalyptic rhetoric." "That kind of misinformation is very pernicious and damaging to a core understanding of what's actually going on here," Chairman Pai said. "It's a complete distraction from the issue of our time."

Rural Communities Suffer the Most Without Access to the Web

The Federal Communications Commission estimates 5.74 percent of Michigan's population - 573,426 people - have no broadband providers in their area, and only 62.32 percent have more than one option for high-speed Internet. Those who don't have access to broadband can sometimes opt for other options, such as satellite, a cellular hotspot or dial up, but those are generally slower, face larger data caps and can be affected by weather or other interference more than traditional cable.