Understanding Bulk Billing Arrangements

Residents of homeowners associations, condominiums, and apartments save more than 50% on broadband relative to comparable retail plans under bulk billing arrangements that allow property owners to negotiate competitive deals on behalf of every unit. The study, Understanding Bulk Billing Arrangements, was filed with the Federal Communications Commission as part of the 2026 Communications Marketplace Report proceeding. Because bulk arrangements are negotiated privately between internet service providers and property owners, their consumer benefits—though experienced firsthand by millions of multi-dwelling unit residents—haven’t previously been quantified at scale. The study now provides that empirical record. The study found:

• Bulk broadband prices are more than 50% lower than retail prices for comparable service.
• Without bulk, consumers would collectively pay an estimated $5.6 billion more each year for retail broadband—a conservative estimate.
• Multi-dwelling units (MDUs) can attract an average of 5.7 facilities-based wireline internet providers to compete for a bulk arrangement, compared to 2.2 typically available for retail service in the same areas—more than double the competitive set.
• Approximately 9.9 million U.S. households live in properties with bulk arrangements—roughly 7% of U.S. housing.b