USA - telecoms in multi-tenant buildings

FCC bans exclusive contracts for telecommunications services in apartment buildings

Consumers Will Benefit from Increased Competition in Voice, Video and Broadband Services

Washington, D.C. – In an order adopted today, the FCC banned carriers from entering
into exclusive contracts to provide telecommunications services in residential apartment
buildings, and prohibited enforcement of existing contracts that contain exclusivity provisions.
The Commission found that these exclusive agreements between carriers and building owners
hurt consumers and harm competition, with little evidence of countervailing benefits.
Moreover, exclusive contracts have blocked access by consumers to competitive and
popular “triple-play” offerings of voice, video and broadband. Opening the door to competitive
telecommunications services will help provide consumers with increased access to and choice of
such providers.