Are Bulk Internet Agreements Still Allowed? The FCC Rules, Explained

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If you've looked at a building-wide internet program, you've probably heard a version of the same worry: “Is this even allowed anymore?” It's a fair question — the FCC has regulated telecom in multi-tenant buildings for years, and the rules around bulk and exclusive arrangements continue to evolve. This is a high-level overview, not legal advice; structure any agreement with your own counsel.

Bulk service vs. exclusivity — two different things

Most of the confusion comes from blurring two separate ideas. A bulk service agreement — where the property arranges internet for the whole building and it's included for residents — is a common, widely-used commercial structure. Exclusivity — locking a single provider in as the only option, or granting exclusive marketing or access rights — is the area the FCC has restricted over time.

• The FCC's 2007 order barred enforcement of new exclusive service contracts for cable in multi-tenant buildings.
• Later rules addressed exclusive marketing and inside-wiring arrangements that effectively foreclosed competition.
• Bulk service and revenue-sharing structures themselves have generally remained permissible — the limits center on exclusivity and consumer transparency.

Where “bulk billing” fits in

“Bulk billing” refers to a property paying for service building-wide and recovering it through rent or dues. It's been a standard model in multifamily and HOAs for a long time. More recently, the FCC has examined bulk billing and resident-choice questions, so the area is one to watch and to structure carefully — with clear disclosure to residents and an eye on how (or whether) residents can opt out. Because the regulatory picture can shift, the right move is a transparent, well-documented agreement reviewed by counsel.

How to keep a program resident-friendly

Regulatory questions aside, the strongest programs are the ones residents actually like. That usually means a few things in practice:

• Clear, up-front disclosure of what's included and what it costs
• Pricing that genuinely beats what residents could get on their own
• A structure appropriate to your property — including whether an opt-out makes sense (see bulk vs. opt-out)
• A non-exclusive posture so you keep leverage and residents keep choice

Where a vendor-neutral broker helps

Because we're not owned by a carrier, our interest is in the structure that works for your building and your residents — not in locking you into one provider. We map the carriers available at your address, model the economics, and help you understand the structural options so you can make an informed decision (and bring your counsel a clear proposal to review). The analysis is free, and there's no obligation to proceed.

Related articles

• Bulk vs. Opt-Out: Which Structure Fits Your Property?
• What to Look For in a Bulk Telecom Agreement
• How the Process Works