NEWS
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, D. C.  20554
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
TTY: 1-888-835-5322
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
March 19, 2008 Clyde Ensslin, (202) 418-0506
Email: clyde.ensslin@fcc.gov
FCC BANS EXCLUSIVE CONTRACTS FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES 
IN APARTMENT BUILDINGS
Consumers Will Benefit from Increased Competition in Voice, Video and Broadband Services
Washington, D.C. – In an order adopted today, the FCC banned carriers from entering 
into exclusive contracts to provide telecommunications services in residential apartment 
buildings, and prohibited enforcement of existing contracts that contain exclusivity provisions. 
The Commission found that these exclusive agreements between carriers and building owners 
hurt consumers and harm competition, with little evidence of countervailing benefits.
Moreover, exclusive contracts have blocked access by consumers to competitive and 
popular “triple-play” offerings of voice, video and broadband.  Opening the door to competitive 
telecommunications services will help provide consumers with increased access to and choice of 
such providers. 
The Commission’s action is consistent with its previous moves to expand competition for 
communications services in apartment buildings and other multiple tenant environments, or 
MTEs.  In 2007, the Commission banned exclusive deals for video services in residential 
apartment buildings, and in 2000, the Commission prohibited exclusive contracts for 
telecommunications services in commercial MTEs.  Today’s order provides regulatory parity 
between telecommunications and video service providers in the increasingly competitive market 
for bundled services.
Action by the Commission, March 19, 2008, by Report and Order (FCC 08-87).  Chairman 
Martin, Commissioners Copps, Adelstein, Tate, and McDowell.  Separate statements issued by 
Chairman Martin, Commissioners Copps, Adelstein, Tate, and  McDowell. 
Docket No.:  99-217
Wireline Competition Bureau Staff Contact:  Jonathan Reel at 202-418-0637
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