Read more about the FCC’s new broadband labeling rule for Internet Service Providers.
Continue Reading FCC Requires Consumer Broadband Labeling
Craig A. Gilley
Craig Gilley provides a broad range of services for regulated communications entities, as well as information technology, education technology, investment, and private equity companies. Craig's primary practice involves counseling cable operators, broadband providers, internet service providers, video programmers, satellite providers, and wireless/wireline telecommunications providers on a broad range of legal, regulatory, operational, and transactional issues. He also regularly provides transactional, operational, compliance, and strategic advice to information and educational technology firms. Craig also represents investment and private equity companies, providing transactional and compliance support to ensure that both their acquisitions and ongoing investments fully comply with regulatory requirements.
FCC Acts to Prohibit Exclusive Service and Wiring Arrangements in Office, Condominium, and Apartment Buildings
Yesterday, the FCC modified its building inside wiring rules governing service provider access to apartment, condominium, and office buildings, otherwise known as multi-tenant environments or multiple dwelling unit buildings (MTEs). Note that in particular circumstances these rules can also apply to private real estate developments, trailer parks, and planned community developments located on private land.
Some background: Starting in 1993 FCC wiring rules have prohibited certain exclusive agreements between telecommunications providers and multichannel video programming distributors and MTE building owners that grant the provider exclusive access to and rights to provide service to an MTE. Underpinning those rules is an FCC policy that exclusive access and service contracts harm competition and consumers by limiting service choice in MTE buildings.
Nonetheless, the rules had always made compromises that opened loopholes creating avenues to de facto exclusivity, and those loopholes were widely and creatively exploited. Over time, those loopholes have gradually been closed, and here the FCC takes its latest step to advance that closure.Continue Reading FCC Acts to Prohibit Exclusive Service and Wiring Arrangements in Office, Condominium, and Apartment Buildings
Ninth Circuit Upholds California Net Neutrality Law
Last Friday, the Ninth Circuit upheld California’s 2018 net neutrality law in the face of arguments that the law was preempted by FCC action. The court held that the FCC can’t preempt states since it gave up its own regulatory authority over broadband in its 2017 repeal of the federal net neutrality rules.
According to…
Congress Adopts New Cable Operator Advertising and Billing Requirements Affecting Both Video and Broadband Internet Offerings
As part of the 2019 year-end congressional appropriations wrap-up free-for-all, Congress adopted a new Section 642 of the Communications Act that significantly changes how a cable operator advertises and bills video subscribers. The law applies to both stand-alone video programming packages and the video portion of bundled plans that combine video programming with broadband Internet service.
Under the law, cable operators must change their billing practices as follows by June 20, 2020.Continue Reading Congress Adopts New Cable Operator Advertising and Billing Requirements Affecting Both Video and Broadband Internet Offerings