Brendan Carr, the new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman, has cleared the agency’s docket, including the withdrawal of a recent proposal to restrict high-speed internet bulk-billing agreements. Industry leaders at the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC), the National Apartment Association (NAA), and NMHC affiliate Real Estate Technology and Transformation Center (RETTC) applauded the move.
“We’re glad to see that chairman Carr has taken banning bulk billing off the table. That’s a huge win for renters,” said NMHC president Sharon Wilson Géno. “Bulk-billing arrangements have made high-speed internet more accessible and affordable for millions of Americans, especially for low-income renters and seniors living in affordable housing. We’re glad that the chairman and the FCC are sticking up for the housing providers and renters, rather than threatening the existing regulatory framework that has been so successful in deploying affordable and reliable broadband to communities across the nation.”
In July, the NMHC and the NAA joined EducationSuperHighway, the Community Associations Institute, and America’s Communications Association to launch the Bulk Broadband Alliance to educate policymakers and the public on the benefits of bulk-billing arrangements for broadband and cable services.
According to the associations, the bulk-billing model is advantageous compared with traditional retail service offerings, with monthly bulk pricing typically being 50% lower than promotional rates for comparable packages. The groups also noted that these agreements elevate the quality of service because bulk providers who negotiate with property owners are incentivized to invest in infrastructure upgrades as well as lead to a better customer experience with convenient setup and guaranteed reliability. In addition, bulk billing can be critical to removing barriers to broadband adoption like credit checks and security deposits as well as key to delivering smart-home technologies and sustainable solutions to help meet the demands of renters.
“By making this move, the new FCC is acknowledging the critical role these agreements play in encouraging broadband investment, bridging the digital divide, and lowering internet costs,” said NAA president and CEO Bob Pinnegar. “NAA looks forward to working alongside the FCC to develop policies that further expand broadband access and deliver results for the nation’s renters and housing providers.”
Kevin Donnelly, executive director and chief advocacy officer of RETTC, added that Carr’s decision sends a “clear message.”
“The FCC has once again affirmed that bulk billing and managed Wi-Fi solutions are of strong benefit to consumers and should be leveraged to overcome barriers to deployment, affordability, and adoption, not regulated or restricted,” he noted. “We look forward to working with chairman Carr and the FCC to ensure housing providers and renters continue to have access to affordable, reliable broadband to support property operations and enable resident-desired services and seamless connectivity.”
