FCC Drops Biden's Bulk Broadband Billing Ban: A Win for Multifamily Affordability

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has made a significant move that will have a positive impact on the affordability of internet services for tenants in multifamily housing. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has decided to withdraw the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on bulk billing arrangements, which would have banned these agreements between property owners and internet service providers (ISPs). This decision is a victory for multifamily housing providers and their residents, as it ensures that tenants will continue to benefit from lower internet costs, making it easier for them to access essential tools and services.

Bulk billing agreements have long been an essential part of offering affordable, high-quality internet services to residents in multifamily communities. These agreements allow property owners to secure significantly lower rates than standard retail prices for their residents by negotiating directly with ISPs to bundle service for all residents in a community. This results in much more affordable internet access without residents having to deal with individual accounts, deposits, or credit checks. By maintaining these agreements, the FCC's decision ensures that tenants in multifamily housing will continue to benefit from lower internet costs, making it easier for them to access essential tools and services.

The withdrawal of the bulk billing ban proposal aligns with the FCC's previous stance on the matter, demonstrating the undeniable benefits of keeping such agreements free from unnecessary hindrance from the government. This decision is a step in the right direction, as it allows affordable, high-speed internet to remain accessible to all, particularly in multifamily communities.

In the context of the Biden-Harris Administration's Internet for All initiative, this decision complements the broader effort to connect everyone in America to reliable, affordable high-speed internet by the end of the decade. The BEAD program, with its $42.45 billion in grants, aims to lay the critical groundwork for infrastructure needed to connect everyone, from big cities to small towns and everything in between. This includes connecting low-income households and small businesses, which are often disproportionately affected by the digital divide.

By maintaining bulk billing agreements, multifamily property owners can continue to offer affordable internet services to their residents, helping to close the digital divide in affordable housing and low-income communities. This decision is a positive step towards ensuring that residents in these communities can benefit from the essential tools and opportunities that high-speed internet access provides.