News - November 22, 2021

INCOMPAS: Monopoly Broadband Dampens Deployment to Apartment, Condo and Business Customers

Files Reply Comments with FCC on Increasing Competition in Multiple Tenant Environments

WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 22, 2021) - INCOMPAS, the internet and competitive networks association, filed reply comments at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in its proceeding on improving broadband competition in multiple tenant environments (MTEs). 

In its reply comments, INCOMPAS highlights pro-competition perspectives raised by consumers, industry, public interest organizations and municipal governments that are seeking to bring faster speeds, lower prices and more choice to tenants and businesses in MTEs in cities and towns across America.

In addition to an improved deployment agenda, INCOMPAS highlights the impact monopoly lock outs are having on adoption of low-income services and programs, such as the Emergency Broadband Benefit program, which was designed to help families still suffering from COVID driven disruptions. INCOMPAS comments also refuted arguments made by big building owners, and incumbent providers that seek to defend revenue sharing, exclusive wiring and exclusive marketing deals that perpetuate monopoly prices and poor service. 

The INCOMPAS reply comments includes a personal story from a staff member who recently saw the prices of their broadband service reduced by one-third following a competitive provider’s entry to the apartment building.  

In addition to the filing, Chip Pickering, CEO of INCOMPAS, released the following statement:

“It’s time to bring competition to the condo and end the towering inferno of monopoly abuse that denies 30 percent of Americans access to faster, more affordable broadband options. This is a bipartisan issue, as both the Biden White House and the FCC under the previous administration have called for ending exclusive practices that dampen deployment and drive broadband prices through the roof. Now is the time for a bipartisan FCC to unite around a pro-competition agenda that unlocks better service and lower prices for families living in apartment and condo units, and small businesses in commercial MTEs.”

To read the INCOMPAS reply comments, please click here. For the initial INCOMPAS MTE comments, please click here.