Washington, D.C. — The American Economic Liberties Project, Public Knowledge, the American Civil Liberties Union, and nearly 30 other advocacy groups sent a letter yesterday urging the Federal Communications Commission to seek comment on permitting multi-tenant building residents to opt-out of bulk billing arrangements—which can limit access to lower-priced and higher-quality broadband and cable services.

“Allowing Americans to opt out of bulk billing arrangements in apartment buildings is a win-win for consumers and the broadband market,” said Morgan Harper, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the American Economic Liberties Project. “Consumers deserve the power to choose the most affordable and reliable broadband and cable service that meets their needs, not forced into expensive, low-quality plans dictated by landlords. This commonsense move would foster a fair and competitive market that benefits everyone, especially low-income renters, which is why we urge the FCC to move forward with its NPRM swiftly.”

The letter was sent in response to a public reporting of a circulated Notice of Proposed Rulemaking from the FCC, which would seek comment on how to best “lower costs and address the lack of choice for broadband services available to households in apartments, condos, public housing, and other multi-tenant buildings.” Economic Liberties and the groups argue that the agency should move forward with a reported Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to increase consumer choice and ensure that Americans – particularly low-income households – can access more affordable broadband plans and benefits like the Lifeline program or the Affordable Connectivity Program, should it be revived. While opposition argues that bulk billing arrangements increase efficiency and simplify the process for HOAs and owners, the letter explains that competition and the ability to choose better meet the diverse needs of all residents.

Read the full letter here.

Learn more about Economic Liberties here.

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The American Economic Liberties Project works to ensure America’s system of commerce is structured to advance, rather than undermine, economic liberty, fair commerce, and a secure, inclusive democracy. Economic Liberties believes true economic liberty means entrepreneurs and businesses large and small succeed on the merits of their ideas and hard work; commerce empowers consumers, workers, farmers, and engineers instead of subjecting them to discrimination and abuse from financiers and monopolists; foreign trade arrangements support domestic security and democracy; and wealth is broadly distributed to support equitable political power.