FCC (Federal Communications Commission) is now promoting broadband competition in apartment buildings as more and more people tend to live in these areas.
A man is pictured in an illuminated apartment in a building on the outskirts of Moscow on May 4, 2020 during a strict lockdown in Russia to stop the spread of the COVID-19 infection caused by the novel coronavirus. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP)
However, an issue is still preventing this from happening. Right now, the government agency wants to investigate further the so-called "sweetheart deal" between landlords and internet services.
"The rules prohibit broadband providers from entering into certain revenue-sharing agreements with a building owner that keep competitive providers out of buildings," said FCC via its official press release.
FCC Wants Broadband Competition in Apartments
According to Forbes' latest report, the newly adopted order aims to prevent the deals between landlords and broadband providers.
Visitors use their mobile devices during the opening day of the 2015 Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona on March 2, 2015. Phone makers will seek to seduce new buyers with even smarter Internet-connected watches and other wireless gadgets as they wrestle for dominance at the world's biggest mobile fair starting today. AFP PHOTO / JOSEP LAGO
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Once it is successful, the new act is expected to allow tenants to have more options, helping them to find cheaper and better quality internet services that will suit their daily needs.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said that around one-third of U.S. residents are currently staying in apartments or multi-tenant buildings.
Most of them are left with no choice but to accept their landlords' broadband service. But, this will soon change after the Federal Communications Commission adopted the new rule on Feb. 15 after the agency had a 4-0 vote in favor of broadband competition in apartments.
What the New FCC Order Will Do
Before the new order against secret deals or sweetheart deals between landlords and broadband providers was adopted, Rosenworcel explained that the act will do if ever it passes.
The following details were provided back on Jan. 21:
- Prevents any practice that bypasses FCC's sale-and-leaseback arrangement prohibition.
- Will require telecom companies to disclose any deal they have with the apartment or MTE (multi-tenant environment) owners.
- Prevents any sharing arrangement or exclusive deal with a building owner.
In other news, FCC recently mandated broadband POS labelings, allowing consumers to have better ideas about the internet services they plan to have.
Meanwhile, new FCC requirements for data breach reporting were released.
For more news updates about FCC and its upcoming activities, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.
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Written by: Griffin Davis
