Oakland Advances Bill on Multiple-Tenant Internet Choice

Oakland legislation to require ISP choice in multiple tenant environments cleared the city council’s Community and Economic Development Committee 4-0. The MTE proposal to restrict landlords from forcing tenants to use a certain ISP is modeled after a 2016 San Francisco law, not including a part on sharing in-use wiring that the FCC preempted under then-Chairman Ajit Pai (see 1907100020). San Francisco’s law has worked well for five years, said sponsor Councilmember Noel Gallo at Tuesday's livestreamed hearing. It will help “to equalize the playing field for people who need access to affordable Wi-Fi,” said Councilmember Carroll Fife. Competitive ISPs can expand into Oakland only “if they can get a toehold in the denser areas of the city that are more economical to service,” said Media Alliance Executive Director Tracy Rosenberg. Landlords are following San Francisco’s law without the city attorney taking enforcement actions, she said. Fife asked if Rosenberg expected Oakland landlords to object. The Media Alliance official said she contacted the local rental association about a week and half ago but hadn’t heard back. Nobody representing landlords testified. The proposal next goes to the Rules Committee for scheduling. The FCC is collecting comments on MTE broadband access (see 2109070047).