Broadband choice reduction by Brendan Carr's FCC: Difference between revisions

Removed title from lead section.
Andrew V (talk | contribs)
 
(4 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
In January 2025, the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) made a sweeping decision affecting consumer choice in broadband internet for residents of multi-tenant buildings. This decision reversed course on a previous proposal that would have given tenants more control over their internet service provider options.
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=
|StartDate=
|EndDate=
|Status=
|ProductLine=
|Product=
|ArticleType=
|Type=
|Description=
}}
In January 2025, the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) made a sweeping decision affecting consumer choice in broadband internet for residents of multi-tenant buildings. This decision reversed course on a previous proposal that would have given tenants more control over their [[internet service provider]] (ISP) options.


==Background==
==Background==
In March 2024, then-FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced a proposal aimed at increasing tenant's choice at choosing their ISP for internet access in multi-tenant buildings.<ref name="doc-4009">[[:File:DOC-400915A1.pdf|FCC Press Release, "FCC CHAIRWOMAN ANNOUNCES PUSH TO LOWER BROADBAND COSTS & INCREASE CHOICE FOR FAMILIES LIVING IN APARTMENT BUILDINGS"]] ''FCC''. March 5, 2024</ref> The proposal followed the Commission's 2022 rules that had already:
In March 2024, then-FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced a proposal aimed at increasing tenant's choice at choosing their ISP for internet access in multi-tenant buildings.<ref name="doc-4009">[[:File:DOC-400915A1.pdf|FCC Press Release "FCC CHAIRWOMAN ANNOUNCES PUSH TO LOWER BROADBAND COSTS & INCREASE CHOICE FOR FAMILIES LIVING IN APARTMENT BUILDINGS"]] ''[[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]]''. March 5, 2024</ref> The proposal followed the Commission's 2022 rules that had already:


*Prohibited broadband providers from entering into certain revenue sharing agreements with building owners
*Prohibited broadband providers from entering into certain revenue sharing agreements with building owners
Line 24: Line 35:


===2022 FCC Rule Changes===
===2022 FCC Rule Changes===
In 2022, the FCC modified its rules regarding multi-tenant environments:<ref>[https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/01/fcc-chair-nixes-plan-to-boost-broadband-competition-in-apartment-buildings/ "FCC chair helps ISPs and landlords make deals that renters can't escape"] ''Ars Technica'', January 27, 2025. Retrieved 2 February, 2025.</ref>
In 2022, the FCC modified its rules regarding multi-tenant environments:<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brodkin |first=Jon |date=2025-01-27 |title=FCC chair helps ISPs and landlords make deals that renters can’t escape |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/01/fcc-chair-nixes-plan-to-boost-broadband-competition-in-apartment-buildings/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250203052411/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/01/fcc-chair-nixes-plan-to-boost-broadband-competition-in-apartment-buildings/ |archive-date=2025-02-03 |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=[[Ars Technica]]}}</ref>
*The ban on exclusive access agreements remained
*The ban on exclusive access agreements remained
*Bulk billing arrangements remained permissible
*Bulk billing arrangements remained permissible
Line 30: Line 41:


===March 2024 Proposed Changes===
===March 2024 Proposed Changes===
Then-Chairwoman Rosenworcel's proposal would have:<ref name="doc-4009"/>
Then-Chairwoman Rosenworcel's proposal would have:<ref name="doc-4009" />
*Maintained the ban on exclusive access agreements
*Maintained the ban on exclusive access agreements
*Required bulk billing arrangements to include tenant opt-out provisions
*Required bulk billing arrangements to include tenant opt-out provisions


===January 2025 Final Outcome===
===January 2025 Final Outcome===
Chairman Carr's decision specifically addressed the bulk billing proposal:<ref>[[:File:DOC-409130A1.pdf|FCC Press Release, "Chairman Carr Stops Costly Regulatory Overreach"]] ''FCC'', January 27, 2025</ref>
Chairman Carr's decision specifically addressed the bulk billing proposal:<ref>[[:File:DOC-409130A1.pdf|FCC Press Release, "Chairman Carr Stops Costly Regulatory Overreach"]] ''[[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]]'', January 27, 2025</ref>
*Building owners still cannot enter exclusive access agreements
*Building owners still cannot enter exclusive access agreements
*Building owners can continue mandatory bulk billing without opt-out provisions
*Building owners can continue mandatory bulk billing without opt-out provisions
Line 52: Line 63:
[[Category:Incidents]]
[[Category:Incidents]]
[[Category:Internet service providers]]
[[Category:Internet service providers]]
[[Category:Consumer Choice]]
[[Category:FCC Regulations]]
[[Category:2025 Consumer Protection Changes]]