BROOKINGS, S.D. (KJJQ) – Ajit Pai (Ah-jit Pie) is the current Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. He’s in the region for a series of meetings on rural broadband and made a stop Tuesday morning at Brookings Radio.

Pai was appointed to the FCC by President Obama in 2012 and was designated Chairman by President Trump in 2017. He says rural broadband is the top issue for the FCC.

He says reliable, fast internet service is vital.

Pai has been criticized for his efforts to deregulate and for the repeal of net neutrality rules that critics say makes internet services more expensive in rural areas.