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The White House has announced support for a proposal from the chair of the Federal Communications Commission that would ban providers from the practice of bulk bulling at multifamily properties.
Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel’s push to ban bulk billing is part of a wider strategy to promote competition and protect consumers across several agencies, according a recent factsheet put out by the White House.
The White House’s factsheet, which detailed the Biden Administration’s position supporting Rosenworcel’s proposed rule, was released on the same day that Rosenworcel’s office announced a proposal to ban bulk billing at multifamily properties. In the March 5 announcement, Rosenworcel said banning the practice will lower broadband costs and increase the broadband services available to multifamily households.
The White House’s factsheet, which outlined several initiatives to combat “corporate rip-offs and other unfair practices that keep prices high,” described bulk billing as “a practice by which landlords or providers charge everyone living or working in a building for a particular internet, cable, or satellite service, even if they don’t want it or haven’t opted in.”
The factsheet from the White House further claimed bulk billing arrangements “limit consumer choice by preventing tenants from choosing the services at the price point and level that are best for their needs,” and said the arrangements both deter competition and allow providers to impose fees for “unnecessary services.”
“In addition, (Rosenworcel’s) proposed rule seeks to address other exclusive arrangements between service providers and landlords that impede competition and drive-up prices, such as exclusive wiring arrangements, exclusive marketing arrangements, and certain revenue sharing agreements,” the White House’s release stated.
Also announced by the White House yesterday was the creation of a ‘Strike Force on Unfair and Illegal Pricing’ that will be chaired by the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission, according to the March 5 factsheet.
“This Strike Force will strengthen interagency efforts to root out and stop illegal corporate behavior that hikes prices on American families through anti-competitive, unfair, deceptive, or fraudulent business practices,” the White House’s announcement stated.
Also targeted in the White House’s initiatives to protect consumers were credit card late fees, fees on services including internet, and processing companies that “prevent small producers from raising concerns or coming together in associations” in the agricultural supply chain.
