News - September 3, 2019

INCOMPAS Files Comments at FCC: Bring Broadband Competition to the Condo, Apartment Buildings and all MTEs

WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 3, 2019) – INCOMPAS, the internet and competitive networks association, is urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to take action that would end monopoly practices that block broadband competition from Americans living in apartment buildings, condo complexes and other multi tenant environments (MTEs).

In comments filed at the FCC late last week, INCOMPAS argued that Americans living in MTEs – who make up an astounding 30 percent of the population – should no longer be subject to anti-competitive behavior and practices that lock out broadband competition and lock in higher prices, slower speeds and poor customer service.

“Americans living in apartment buildings and condos have a right to competition under the law, and deserve access to more choices in providers who can bring them faster access to the internet at a lower cost,” said Chip Pickering, CEO of INCOMPAS added. “This is a slam dunk for the FCC. Removing archaic barriers to competition at apartments and condos provides a major incentive to smaller fiber builders eager to deploy newer, faster broadband networks in communities around the nation.”

The INCOMPAS filing argues that the FCC has both the legal authority and a mission driven reason to act, under the agency’s broadband deployment agenda.

Specifically, INCOMPAS is asking the FCC to prohibit commercial agreements between communications providers and landlords that deter the deployment of next generation broadband networks such as graduated revenue sharing and wiring, marketing, and rooftop exclusivity agreements. These practices amount to an end run around the Commission’s prohibition on exclusive service agreements and result in higher costs to consumers, increase the costs of competitive entry, and reduce choice for communications services.

To read a copy of the INCOMPAS filing, please click here.

About INCOMPAS
INCOMPAS, the internet and competitive networks association, is the leading trade group advocating for competition policy across all networks. INCOMPAS represents Internet, streaming, communications and technology companies large and small, advocating for laws and policies that promote competition, innovation and economic development. Learn more at www.incompas.org or follow us on Twitter: @INCOMPAS @ChipPickering