ACA Connects asks FCC to pump the brakes on plan to ban 'bulk billing' in MDUs

Officials with ACA Connects and EducationSuperHighway spelled out a series of concerns they have about a proposal from FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel that aims to ban "bulk billing" for broadband in apartments, condos and other types of multiple-dwelling units (MDUs). Bulk billing agreements typically enable MDUs to negotiate discounted rates for broadband services on behalf of their residents. Both ACA Connects, an organization that represents hundreds of small and midsized independent US broadband service providers, and EducationSuperHighway, a national nonprofit focused on closing the digital divide for about 17 million low-income households, are asking the FCC to effectively "pump the brakes" on the item and to spend more time reconsidering and reassessing the proposed ban. Under Rosenworcel's proposal, the updated rules would allow tenants to opt out of bulk billing. Education SuperHighway and ACA Connects believe a ban will actually raise broadband prices. ACA Connects and EducationSuperHighway also don't believe a proposed opt-out option is workable because it undermines the business models that bulk billing agreements are based upon, including penetration rates that enable lower-cost options for MDU residents.