Rosenworcel Defends Bulk Billing Ban Proposal to House Democrat

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel defended a March Further NPRM that bans bulk billing arrangements between ISPs and multi-dwelling unit (MDU) owners (see 2403050069). Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., prompted Rosenworcel's response. In a May 20 letter released Friday, the lawmaker wrote the proposed ban “threatens both the affordability and accessibility of essential digital services” because the practice enables “seniors, fixed-income individuals, and other residents to aggregate their purchasing power.” ISPs argue banning bulk billing will bring broadband bill shock and market instability (see 2405080043). In a June 10 letter, Rosenworcel said the FNPRM “has the potential to empower consumer choice and boost competition, as well as build on the agency’s ongoing efforts to improve broadband transparency.” She acknowledged the FCC in 2010 “found that these arrangements can predominately offer benefits to consumers,” but “a lot can change in 14 years and, as is true with many policies in the telecommunications sector, it is often in the public interest to reexamine long-standing policies to ensure they have kept up with changes in technology and the marketplace, especially when it comes to consumer protection and choice.” The FNPRM “provides an opportunity to build a record on” bulk billing “that reflects the consumer experience today, and that is why it is important to have the public weigh in on these issues,” Rosenworcel said.