To my great surprise and delight, the recent move by the Federal Communications Commission’s new majority to revoke the designations of nine companies as Lifeline providers has provoked a firestorm in the press, on social media, and on the Hill.
The furor has been so intense that FCC Chairman Ajit Pai felt moved to defend the decision on Medium this week. But the Chairman doth protest too much. His thin arguments fail to mask two clear truths:

1. His actions will make the market for Lifeline broadband services less competitive, limiting choice and keeping prices high. As a result, fewer low income Americans will be able to afford broadband; and
2. He, and fellow FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly, fundamentally disagree with the structure and goals of the Lifeline program and will seek to undermine it in word and deed.

To read the full text, visit The Benton Foundation, where this post originally appeared on February 7, 2017.