When I read an article about the F.C.C. having to ban exclusive phone deals between building owners and the teleco’s, my first thought was that you have to be kidding. But than after some thought I could understand how some building owners could take advantage of tenants and force them into using a particular telco. against their wishes. Amazing!

According to the article:

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.

The agency’s order applies to both existing and future contracts in apartment buildings and other multiple tenant properties.

The F.C.C. action, which was expected, is consistent with past rulings. The agency restricted exclusivity clauses for telecommunications services in commercial office buildings in 2000, and for cable services in residential apartment buildings last year.

Even though real estate companies and land owners were against the decision, some of the major telco’s supported it.

Comments welcome.

Full article is here.

[tags]fcc, apartments, phone, banned, telco’s, users, forced, providers,  [/tags]