Protests are scheduled in Madison and cities all across the nation tomorrow to demonstrate public support for net neutrality. If net neutrality were to be done away with, internet providers could create fast lanes for business or individuals that payed more, and could slow speed for those that decided to not pay extra. The Federal Communications Commission is scheduled to vote on net neutrality next week, and is likely to do away with it. State Representative Katrina Shankland of Stevens Point is one of many Democrats who signed a letter to the F-C-C asking that net neutrality be upheld. Shankland says people in rural areas will be among the hardest hit if the rule is dumped. She stated, “People in rural Wisconsin not only already are suffering from very slow broadband speeds, but also, across the state, Wisconsin ranks 49th in the nation for broadband speed. We’re already well behind the times when it come to being able to access the internet at a reasonable speed.” Those who argue for abandoning net neutrality say it stifles innovation by over-regulating internet service providers, and that dropping the rule will create more competition among providers and result in lower prices. Those who support the rule predict exactly the opposite will happen.