It's tough to say what the impact of a decision like this is for the US market, where there are already so many obstacles to making money on the last mile.
It's tough to say what the impact of a decision like this is for the US market, where there are already so many obstacles to making money on the last mile.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Federal Communications Commission unanimously approved a rule on Wednesday banning exclusive telephone service agreements in apartment buildings, giving tenants their pick of providers.
The five-member commission said in a release that exclusive contracts between carriers and apartment-building owners "hurt consumers and harm competition, with little evidence of countervailing benefits." It noted that the deals have also blocked residents from getting bundled voice, video and high-speed Internet service packages.
(Full article)
When I looked at the South Korean broadband miracle in 2004, it was widely understood that cozy partnerships between large housing manufacturers and so-called BLECs - building local exchange carriers - was one of the important economic drivers for rapid broadband diffusion. In an environment dominated by incumbents, startup broadband carriers needed the revenue predictability of long-term exclusive deals with more or less captive customers. It is true that housing itself is more of a commodity in places like Seoul, and thus developers had powerful incentives to bundle the broadband or keep prices competitive. Why would you make a deal that undermines your ability to sell a $1 million apartment by not controlling a $40/month cost?
The telcos now have the legal authority to bust open any building they like, which presumably means more competition for consumers. But the one thing the US can't afford is any measure that slows down the pace of residential broadband deployment. Taking away the ability of landlords to make exclusive deals that bring alternative broadband providers into their buildings, and protect them from the aggressive tactics of incumbent telcos, I think is a step in the wrong direction.
Technorati Tags: broadband, economic development, housing, infrastructure
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
The Five Most-Changed American Cities
A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.
Rethinking Computing: Researchers Tackle AI’s Energy Demands
USC researchers are reimagining how AI systems are trained and powered — through smarter algorithms, innovative hardware, and brain-inspired designs — to dramatically reduce computing’s energy footprint.
Amazon-Owned Robotaxis to Begin Testing in LA
Los Angeles will become the sixth city where Zoox is testing its autonomous vehicle technology.
New York MTA Says No More Borrowing, Will Cut Costs Instead
The agency says it won’t take out any new loans to finance its planned improvements and is finding other ways to cut costs.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
