By: Susan Krok

In case you missed it live on LinkedIn last week, our President/CEO, Rush Blakely, had a conversation with Todd Thorpe, Director of Business Development with Cambium Networks. They discussed a number of topics relevant to multifamily owners, operators, and developers, including:

• • The RFP (request for proposal) process. Rush reviewed our process for new construction projects. We begin with a programming call, move into low-voltage design or peer review, and wrap this information into the RFP process with a curated group of qualified providers.
  • Recent FCC Regulation. Rush and Todd discussed both the 2022 FCC ruling on graduated revenue share as well as the 2024 proposed bulk prohibition—which has since been removed from the FCC docket.
  • Some thoughtful questions to ask before you enter an agreement with an internet service provider. A few on a long list included:

• • • Will the provider use existing infrastructure or need to install new infrastructure?
    • What specific work will be completed in the residents’ units, and how long will technicians be in the units?
    • Who is responsible for repairs or restoration?
    • How long will it […]
      

Potential FCC Regulation: Ban on Bulk Billing

On March 5th, the FCC office of media relations released a statement that FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel had announced “a plan to lower costs and address the lack of choice for broadband services available to households in apartments, condos, public housing, and other multi-tenant buildings.” The release alludes to plans by the FCC to regulate further and potentially ban bulk billing arrangements that do not allow residents to opt-out of such an arrangement.

RealtyCom Partners is tracking this situation and plans to review in detail any Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that is issued pursuant to this FCC announcement. RealtyCom has a history of leading and participating in comments to various past FCC rulemaking procedures.

While not all service providers that typically provide bulk billing services currently have a methodology for individual resident opt-out, RealtyCom is in discussions with providers on how they are and will respond to this potential rulemaking.

RealtyCom Partners stands alongside the signatories of the letter addressed to The White House, urging law makers and the FCC to preserve broadband bulk billing agreements. Instituting a ban on these agreements would negatively impact residents and discourage investments in broadband service. We extend our gratitude […]