“Bulk billing has been a proven tool for building owners and community associations since the 1970s, empowering them to secure substantially better cable and broadband deals for their residents. We understand that this model leverages the collective purchasing power of residents to negotiate lower prices, infrastructure upgrades, and superior customer service that individual homeowners could not obtain alone.”

U.S. Representatives Ritchie Torres (D), Rep. Darren Soto (D), Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D), Rep. Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D), Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D)

“One key factor behind the deployment of better broadband infrastructure and more affordable service, particularly for apartment and multi-unit dwelling residents, is the utilization of bulk billing arrangements. These arrangements leverage the collective buying power of residents to secure significantly lower prices for broadband internet, compared to individual plans. Moreover, these agreements deliver robust services and great customer service to residents.”

Group of 51 Bipartisan Mayors

“Municipalities and housing authorities have used bulk billing to deliver broadband at low or no cost to affordable housing tenants who might otherwise lack the financial means to get online, with one prominent example being the city of Charlotte’s AccessCharlotte Program, which is scaling up to provide free internet to over 50 housing communities and the single-family neighborhoods in low-income communities.”

Chaquez T. McCall (Florence, SC) Councilman

“Currently, many HOAs, public housing communities, and university students receive internet at up to a 50% discount by negotiating rates as a group.”

Kambrell Gavin, North Carolina State Representative

“Bulk billing agreements are communal arrangements between internet providers and multi-tenant living communities like homeowners associations (HOAs) and affordable housing complexes. For a drastically reduced rate, sometimes up to half of what tenants and residents would pay on an individualized price structure, internet providers contract with these communities and provide service to all of the residents living in them.”

Chris Russell (Thornton, CO) Councilman

“In my district alone, about 50% of households are part of HOAs or apartment communities which could benefit from bulk billing and should continue to have that competitive option to provide the lowest rates to their residents.”

U.S. Representative Shelia Cherfilus-McCormick

“One non-profit organization noted that bulk-billing could result in rates five times below standard retail plans.”

Dean Trantalis, Fort Lauderdale (Florida) Mayor

“Bulk billing, where a provider offers a discounted rate per-subscription to provide internet to entire housing complexes, homeowners associations (HOAs), affordable housing complexes, or broadly, multi-tenant living communities, has been instrumental in making internet access more affordable, especially in the Commonwealth.”

Jason Dawkins, Pennsylvania State Representative

“Bulk billing is a vital tool for enabling connectivity in our nation’s most underserved communities. To help low-income residents overcome broadband affordability barriers, local governments and housing authorities leverage bulk billing to consolidate multiple subscriptions into a single contract, reduce rates per subscription and simplify broadband delivery and installation.”

Jonathan Kinloch, Wayne County (Michigan) Commissioner

“These arrangements can be especially impactful in affordable housing complexes – as the digital equity group EducationSuperHighway has noted, bulk apartment Wi-Fi can cost $15 for a resident in affordable housing compared the standard $70 retail price.”

Kalan Haywood, Wisconsin State Assemblymember

“In Georgia, which ranks at the top of the list of states in terms of HOA membership nationally with 2.3 million residents who are members of an HOA, these agreements are crucial. HOA boards, composed of community members, leverage these agreements to negotiate up to 50% lower rates for their communities compared to individual plans.”

Sonya Halpern, Georgia State Senator

“If you are one of the 75 million Americans — or roughly 2.8 million North Carolinians — living in a homeowners association (HOA) or condominium owners association (COA), there is a good chance you currently benefit from lower monthly broadband prices due to a bulk billing agreement. These are agreements in which representatives from an HOA, COA or other multi-tenant living environment negotiate with an internet service provider on a deal to provide internet service to an entire living community. In return, customers receive a significantly reduced cost for their bill, often saving up to 50% on what they’d pay for an individualized purchase of their internet service.”

Mary-Ann Baldwin, Raleigh (North Carolina) Mayor

“For many of our residents, these arrangements are more than just a way to save on monthly bills — they’re a lifeline, ensuring that every family, regardless of income, can stay connected and informed in an increasingly digital world. I’ve seen firsthand the impact of these arrangements on our community.”

Alix Desulme, North Miami (Florida) Mayor

“People in underserved communities frequently face challenges in affording homeownership, leading many to opt for renting instead. Tenants rely on the owners and managers of multidwelling units (MDUs) to make essential services like broadband access available. However, due to the economic challenges of serving buildings, especially those with lower-income residents, many MDUs have struggled to attract broadband providers willing to deploy new infrastructure and offer quality service at affordable prices. MDU owners and managers have frequently overcome those challenges through bulk billing arrangements.”

ALLvanza

 “To address this, these communities have leveraged their residents’ purchasing power to establish bulk billing arrangements with providers that deliver superior broadband and customer service at reduced prices.”

Diverse Elders Coalition

“Bulk billing agreements for internet service have played a crucial role in ensuring that residents in multi-dwelling units (MDUs), particularly those in public and affordable housing who account for 20-25% of the nation’s digital divide, can affordably connect to the online world.”

No Home Left Offline Coalition

“Bulk billing agreements for internet service have played a crucial role in ensuring that residents in multi-dwelling units (MDUs), particularly those in public and affordable housing, can affordably connect to the online world.”

EducationSuperHighway

“Our Condominium Owners Association (COA) has provided cable television and internet services for our residents for many years and been able to leverage and maximize our community’s buying power for these essential services. These services are included through a bulk contract and provides services for all in our community, allowing for the Board of Directors to negotiate the optimal deal, like the many services our residents have come to expect – i.e. landscaping, maintenance and other utilities. It allows the COA’s members to avail themselves of the benefits of lower rates that include service and equipment. Furthermore, it provides predictable rates and fees, with reliable service/performance for both internet and television broadcasting that does not permit any resident to opt out.”

High Point of Delray Beach

“Regarding the offering of communications services, Lazy River Village has a bulk billing contract with a services provider to deliver two fiber-optic television hookups and high-speed broadband wireless service to each residence.  The provider also offers Wi-Fi service in the clubhouse, billiards room, fitness center, and pool area.  We selected our current communications provider after reviewing proposals from multiple providers.  Residents receive communications services at about $73/month which is included in the maintenance mentioned fee above.  This amount is substantially below retail market rates for the services they receive.”

Lazy River Village Inc.

“We negotiated a much lower price than residents could do on their own. We shopped various vendors to choose the vendor offering the best service and costs for our Community. We have in our documents that we must provide these services as part of resident’s maintenance payments. Our residents are highly accustomed to having the HOA / COA negotiate on their behalf for a number of services/amenities like trash, security, landscaping and more. Without the ability to include all residents in the bulk agreement, the HOA would have less or no ability to negotiate lower rates and improved services.”

Huntington Pointe

“Aquanique Ocean Club enjoys working with Blue Stream Fiber as our bulk TV service provider. We are a community who has many part time and senior residents on fixed income.  In such difficult economic times, and with so many people with limited resources, it is important that we are offered bulk discounted rates.  Our community depends upon, and greatly is benefited by the discount afforded by bulk rate service.  Blue Stream and bulk rate service has made TV  and internet accessible to all.”

Aquanique Ocean Club Condominium Association

“Two years ago, we negotiated with Blue Stream for improved services without negatively impacting our members.  The majority of the owners of my homeowner’s association, Capstan 1, Inc, live with a fixed income.  We are already dealing with state regulations that have significantly increased our monthly maintenance fees.”

Capstan 1, Inc.

“As a bulk customer, our community receives priority in terms of infrastructure upgrades and maintenance, ensuring minimal disruptions and faster resolution of any service issues.”

Ocean Harbor South Condominium Association, Inc.

“Key to this ability to negotiate was including all units in the contract and not allowing units to individually opt out of service. Not including all residents in the bulk agreement, and not allowing residents to opt out of the bulk agreement, the HOA would have less or no ability to negotiate lower rates and improved services.”

Copper Oaks Homeowners’s Association

“While this great country was built around the free enterprise system, in negotiating bulk contracts, we have a process beginning with an RFP from cable/internet providers and moving forward researching their services, testimonials from current users and other factors before making a recommendation to the Board of Directors for consideration and approval.”

Sunrise Lakes Phase IV, Inc. 3 Condominium Association

“I know this from personal experience as well since I have been living here since 2008 and there were always only 2 service providers and until bulk I was stuck with I not very good one at a much higher price until March 2023 when my entire community switched to bulk”

Coral Springs Estate Townhome Condominium Association

“Our residents at Mimosa Condominium benefit greatly by our ability to include all residents in the bulk agreement. Pricing is greatly reduced from everyday rates, more than 50% of what they would pay individually.”

Mimosa Condominium Association

“We had been stuck in a monopoly with only one company willing to provide Internet and television service to our community; however, for all the obstacles keeping us from reasonable costs and choice of providers, “bulk billing” was not one of them. In fact, it was through a bulk agreement that our community was opened to competition among providers and significant cost savings to our community.”

Mirabella at World Gateway Condominium Association, Inc.

“Our HOA conducted an exhaustive review process with potential providers with a view towards maximizing the benefits for our residents. A key component of our negotiations was the ability to offer all our residents participation in the contract, enabling the HOA to negotiate lower rates and improved services. With limited exceptions, residents are not permitted to opt out of the arrangement.”

Kingswood Association 2, Inc.

“With our Bulk Agreement, we are receiving added benefits to our communities for clubhouses, entry gates, pools, irrigation systems and more, at no additional charge. If we did not have these features, we would be forced to raise our Monthly/Quarterly dues to be able to pay for them. Our HOA is saving over $150/month for these services.”

Panther Trace at Sawgrass Lakes

“Pricing is greatly reduced from everyday retail rates, usually at over 50% off what individuals would pay without bulk. A low rate for internet is included in the resident’s monthly assessment fees, and is limited to a marginal increase annually. The product performance for internet quality is guaranteed.”

Jamaica Bay

“Our owners tell us they want 3 things – a great TV/Internet experience, superior customer service, and at a reasonable rate. That’s exactly what bulk buying provides.”

Seascape

“Together, our park has significant buying power. Our numerical power is essential for leveraging our ability to negotiate for the best products and services at the best price.”

Port Charlotte Village

“Through bulk agreements that include all residents, we are able to leverage our combined buying power to their financial benefit and streamline equipment and service delivery.”

Gator Trace Master Property Owners Association

“In summary, bulk agreements have been instrumental in providing our community with a great television and internet experience, superior customer service, and affordable rates.”

Ballantrae Community Association

“The fact that we are able to include this type of BULK service with our monthly fee makes it more attractive to new buyers and a benefit to our residents. Blue Stream has worked long and hard to provide us with a value oriented service package that other providers cannot match. Price and selection, along with dedicated support and the ease of use as well as the ability to take the cable television service on the road have kept them ahead of the curve.”

High Point West

“In addition to the cost savings, the bulk service agreement provides us with the valuable benefit of having a dedicated account representative. This representative is available to assist with any questions or repairs, ensuring that issues are resolved promptly and efficiently. This level of personalized customer service is a significant advantage for our community, where many residents may need additional assistance with technology and service-related concerns.”

Country Club Tower of Coral Springs

“Bulk billing arrangements are pro-consumer and pro-renter, and help support property operations like climate resilience and our shared, longterm goals of improving housing affordability.”

National Real Estate and Housing Associations

“The service level and value our community has seen over the years is unparalleled. Our residents are receiving more than a 50% discount over retail service rates and current services include internet speeds of one-gigabit symmetrical over fiber.”

Playa Vista Parks and Landscape Corporation

“The financial savings provided by the bulk service agreement are especially critical for our community, where many residents are on fixed incomes.”

Country Club Tower of Coral Springs

“Our HOA did a thorough process in making a decision to enter into a bulk contract. We first formed an ad-hoc committee to look into the possibility. The committee surveyed our residents to see if there was interest. 95% were interested. Next, we solicited companies; including Comcast and Frontier (they were not interested). We narrowed it down to two companies and ultimately chose one for our community. We then conducted several town hall meetings with the chosen company to inform our residents of all aspects of the process, the services they were going to receive, the laying of fiber optic cable and its benefits, installation in their homes, and education on how to use the services after installation. Lastly, after all the town hall meetings, we put it to a community vote for final approval. The results were overwhelmingly in favor of entering into a bulk contract for our community at 93%.” 

Oyster Creek Homeowners Association

“Association members enjoy significant dollar cost savings when the monthly expenses are paid to the Bulk Plan Carrier from HOA dues; compared to previous expenses for similar ‘a la carte’ services. These savings, as reported by several association members, vary; however, they can significantly exceed $100.00 monthly which equates to a close to 50% saving.”

Naples Winterpark ll Condominium Association, Inc.

“We are concerned that this proposal would have a negative impact on residents; including seniors, fixed-income individuals, and students who reside in community associations because it will result in increased costs and lower quality infrastructure. Bulk billing arrangements for broadband access through condominiums and homeowners’ associations have been proven to benefit residents with lower costs, improved infrastructure, and faster internet access.”

Community Association Institute (CAI)

“Pricing, service capabilities, and customer responsiveness that we obtain through our bulk agreement cannot be matched by providers in the retail market.”

Bonita Beach Club Association

“While I understand that the premise behind the proposed rule to eliminate bulk billing is that it would increase competition, choice, and competitive pricing; I assure you that the opposite would in fact take place. The residents of Lakes on the Green would immediately go from paying a $74 bulk rate to well over $200 for the same services; Definitely not reducing costs.”

Lakes on the Green Homeowners Association

“As our society’s reliance on technology continues to grow, the disparity between those with and without internet connection disproportionally affects our lowest-income households including people of color, older adults, and persons with disabilities. Public housing authorities are crucial to narrowing the digital divide since they house and serve the lowest-income households in our country. Because of bulk billing arrangements, CLPHA members can subsidize the cost of internet or offer affordable rates to residents living in public housing units.”

Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA)

“HOAs benefit substantially from competition in negotiating these bulk billing arrangements. In Summit Broadband’s experience, there typically will be up to six ISPs competing for a new bulk billing agreement as part of an HOA-run competitive process. HOAs often will appoint a subcommittee of residents to develop a detailed Request for Proposal (“RFP”), solicit responses, select, interview and negotiate with two or three finalists, and negotiate a contract with the finalist—all subject to the final approval by the HOA board. This competitive process gives an HOA the ability to determine which contractual terms to prioritize in a negotiation.”

Summit Broadband

“Additionally, residents typically receive elevated customer service compared to what’s available to individual customers in the mass market. Providers are willing to make these commitments because bulk billing arrangements provide a predictable revenue stream over a period of time that the provider can build into a stable financial model. That enables the provider to continue competing for new business in other MDUs, building a cycle of ever-increasing competition for service that is repeated.”

Providers of High-Speed Broadband Services Under Bulk Billing Agreements

“[B]ulk contracts both enable residents of MTEs to aggregate their buying power to obtain far better rates, terms, and conditions than individual households and provide the certainty that fosters bidding by multiple providers, including smaller providers.”

ACA Connects

“Having an established term in these negotiable agreements allows Altice to offer lower rates and so provides benefits to both the service provider and the business customer. Business customers receive certainty and favorable rates for their commitment, and the provider receives the promise of recouping some of its investment, especially when the agreement includes construction requirements.”

Altice USA

“NCTA explained that the benefits of bulk billing arrangements for consumers are significant and that interfering with the ability of building owners to offer these arrangements to their tenants will result in higher broadband and video prices and other harms for consumers, with questionable and limited benefits. Moreover, as with other services and facilities that may be provided in a multi-tenant setting (e.g., gym facilities, landscaping, party room), a tenant that chooses to live in the MTE necessarily opts in to the choices made by the MTE owner as to the services and facilities offered, with no expectation of receiving a credit if the service or facility is not used by the tenant.”

The Internet and Television Association (NCTA)

“In addition to enabling broadband investments, bulk billing arrangements create sales-channel efficiencies that reduce the per-unit cost of providing service, thereby enabling higher-quality broadband at lower prices.”

Coalition of Independent Internet Service Providers

“Indeed, some bulk billing arrangements offer more benefits to consumers than consumers could achieve when contracting with ISPs directly.”

GiGstreem

“Blue Stream Fiber’s business model enables the company to provide fiber-based internet services that are significantly better and priced up to 65% lower than traditional cable and telecommunications company rates for internet services because they sell to entire communities using bulk billing arrangements.”

Blue Stream Fiber

“The Hotwire Representatives further explained that bulk billing arrangements, which lower the cost of broadband service significantly, will become even more important for lower-income consumers living in multi-tenant buildings or multi-premises communities…”

Hotwire Communications

“Through bulk billing, providers like OpticalTel are able to offer much lower prices to more customers than would be possible without bulk billing. Bulk billing arrangements are a key tool for closing the digital divide by permitting competitive providers to deploy next-generation fiber facilities to communities in reliance on a business case and minimum revenue targets that are sufficient to cover the costs of deployment and ongoing service.”

Optical Telecommunications

Bulk billing arrangements allow building owners or homeowners’ associations (HOAs) to negotiate with internet service providers (ISPs) to provide broadband services to all units within a property at a reduced, collective rate. This method often results in significantly lower costs for residents. It guarantees a steady customer base and return on investment for providers—a win-win situation fostering broadband deployment, especially in rural and low-income areas.

American Enterprise Institute

“Vulnerable communities, including seniors and low-income individuals, stand to bear the brunt of these changes. For many of them, bulk billing represents a lifeline to affordable broadband access.”

Consumer Choice Center

“Bulk billing agreements are agreements between MTEs and broadband providers to charge a fee to every tenant for the provision of broadband service. For the broadband provider, bulk billing ensures that if the provider deploys network infrastructure to the building, it will receive a greater return on its investment, as all residents would then purchase broadband from that provider.”

American Action Forum

“By simplifying service deployment, bulk billing makes it faster and less intrusive for residents to gain internet access, a daily necessity in our digital age.”

The Federalist Society

“Bulk internet, when done and priced right, removes any friction for the resident: no application, no credit check, no deposit, and no late fees.”

Adlane Fellah, Chief Analyst, Maravedis LLC

“Bulk billing agreements enable homeowners associations, condominium owners associations, and other multi-tenant communities, including public housing authorities, to negotiate lower prices with internet providers. These agreements can save residents hundreds of dollars annually.”

Miah Ntepp, Colorado Senate staffer