No Exclusive Cable Contracts for Apartment and Condominium Projects
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia recently upheld a 2007 Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") order prohibiting the owner's of apartment buildings, condominiums and other multi-unit residential properties from entering into exclusive contracts for providing cable T.V. services. The FCC relied upon Section 628(b) of the Communications Act. The FCC's position is that to restrict a multi-unit residential project's access to only one cable provider forecloses the expansion of fiber and phone, video and internet bundling services; thereby, denying residences the benefits of increased competition, lower prices and improved content and services. Take note of this ruling when the issue arises in the multi-unit residential projects you own, manage or are developing.
