The FCC is expected to hand down some new rules on Wednesday to ban exclusive provider contracts in apartments, condos and other multi-unit dwellings. This is a reaction to cable rates that have jumped 93% in the last decade. FCC Chair Kevin Martin noted that cable rates often drop 30% or more when a second provider enters a market, proof positive that monopolies are bad for consumers.
Not only is this great news for those residents, it's also great news for UTOPIA. Part of their problems with expansion have been centered around complexes locked into these contracts who are unwilling to allow installation while the contracts are still in effect. With a ban on such arrangements, UTOPIA would be free to expand at a much faster rate.
