The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted rules to ease access to broadband services for those living or working in apartments, office buildings, and other multi-tenant structures.
According to a Report and Order and Declaratory Ruling, the newly adopted rules prohibit broadband providers from entering into revenue-sharing agreements with building owners that limit access to competitive broadband providers. The rules also require broadband providers to provide tenants of multi-unit buildings with clear and easy-to-understand information about any exclusive marketing agreements that may exist.
In its Declaratory Ruling, the Commission also clarified that its existing rules regarding inside cable wiring in multi-unit buildings prohibit sale-and-leaseback arrangements that effectively block access to alternative broadband service providers.
