By Gabriella Hoffman

This comes at the heels of new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Ajit Pai’s recommendations to do away with invasive net neutrality laws, which have proven to be a hindrance to internet freedom.

The poll found that 44 percent of respondents polled think government should offer subsidies to assist lower-income Americans pay for high-speed internet in the privacy of their homes. In comparison, 54 percent of those polled believe current rates for high-speed internet are affordable enough that people should opt-in for services on their own. Wow!

Here’s a breakdown of their findings on political grounds:

Americans have different levels of support for broadband subsidies based on political affiliation. Six-in-ten Democrats and independents who lean Democratic say the government should help lower-income Americans purchase high-speed internet service, but that figure falls to just 24% among Republicans and Republican-leaning independents. These partisan differences stand in stark contrast to attitudes toward municipal broadband networks, which are favored by a solid majority of both Democrats (74%) and Republicans (67%).

A majority of Democrats at various income levels support government subsidies for broadband, but there are significant differences among Republicans based on income. For example, 42% of Republicans and Republican leaners with an annual household income of less than $30,000 support broadband subsidies for lower-income Americans. But that figure falls to just 10% among Republicans from households earning $75,000 or more a year. Overall, however, Republicans at all income levels are less likely to support broadband subsidies than Democrats of comparable incomes.

FCC Chair Ajit Pai has made it his mission to promote a “pro-business, anti-regulation” agenda at his agency. The Lifeline program in question currently burdens American taxpayers — with a cost of $2.25 billion last year.

Today, I announced beginning of process to create Office of Economics & Data; it will better inform @FCC decisions. https://t.co/Ezkrp2SfFq — Ajit Pai (@AjitPaiFCC) April 5, 2017

FCC Chair Ajit Pai announces the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee. Here are the 29 members. Will meet for the first time on April 21. pic.twitter.com/NUyTCGRhCR

— Hamza Shaban (@hshaban) April 6, 2017

Best part of @AjitPaiFCC's "bringing econ back" speech right here pic.twitter.com/KqtPeLbosi — Hal Singer (@HalSinger) April 6, 2017

The poll even went to suggest that between Republicans and Democrats, both felt that at-home broadband services are important—although Democrats believe they are essential.

Understandably, net neutrality is a loaded subject. Thankfully, FCC Chair Ajit Pai is bringing some much-needed reform and transparency to the organization. Make Internet Great Again!