Intrepid Fiber Backs FCC Broadband Bulk Billing Ban Proposal

Intrepid Fiber Networks backed the FCC's proposal that bans bulk billing arrangements between ISPs and multi-tenant environment (MTE) owners (see 2405080043). Intrepid said in a letter Tuesday in docket 17-142 that such arrangements without an opt-out provision "force MTE resident consumers to pay for broadband, cable, and satellite service" from a specific provider. In addition, they act "as an impediment to new market entrants," Intrepid said. Some consumers are "being forced to purchase unwanted and unused services, leading to overall higher costs," it added. The company said bulk billing contracts result in consumers being "obligated to pay for increasingly outdated technology and network equipment."