FCC probes competitive broadband access in MTEs

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) this month announced it is inviting a new round of comments in a proceeding examining competitive access to broadband in apartment and office buildings.

The FCC's new call for comments, issued on Sept. 7, aims to better understand how the Commission can promote increased competition, consumer choice, and lower prices for Americans living and working in these buildings.

The FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau is seeking comment on three main issues related to broadband deployment in Multiple Tenant Environment (MTE) buildings:

• The first focuses on revenue sharing agreements between MTE owners and service providers, and whether such arrangements inhibit entry by competitive providers or affect the price and quality of service options for consumers.
• Second, the FCC seeks comment on exclusive wiring arrangements and whether such arrangements do not preclude access to new entrants or inhibit choice for tenants.
• Third, the FCC also asks for input on whether exclusive marketing arrangements create confusion and lower choices for tenants.

“Across the country throughout the pandemic, the need for more and better broadband access has never been clearer,” commented FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “With more than one-third of the U.S. population living in condos and apartment buildings, it’s time to take a fresh look at how exclusive agreements between carriers and building owners could lock out broadband competition and consumer choice. I look forward to reviewing the record.”

Visit www.fcc.gov.