Modernizing Broadband Policy for Today’s Multifamily Reality

Members of the House and Senate have reinstituted the Universal Service Fund (USF) Working Group. At a time when consensus in Washington can be difficult to achieve, this effort stands out as a meaningful bipartisan opportunity to modernize one of the nation’s most important connectivity programs. 

What is the Universal Service Fund?

The Universal Service Fund is a federal program administered by the Federal Communications Commission. It provides subsidies to support phone and broadband access in high-cost and rural areas, as well as for low-income households and critical community institutions. 

The working group’s goal is to reform the program so it reflects how Americans connect today. That means aligning policy with modern broadband networks, evolving technologies, and the realities of how residents access service in multifamily housing.   

The Importance of Bulk Billing in Rental Communities

Broadband is no longer optional for residents. It is foundational infrastructure that powers education, employment, healthcare access, civic participation, and daily life. In multifamily housing, bulk billing and managed Wi-Fi solutions are reshaping how connectivity is delivered. These models enable faster deployment, consistent service, and lower overall costs. Most importantly, they deliver real value directly to residents. 

Bulk billing reduces friction from day one. Residents avoid equipment rental fees, credit checks, deposits, and complicated setup processes. Connectivity is ready when they move in, often bundled into rent with predictable pricing.  

These models are especially impactful in affordable, senior, student, and workforce housing communities where ease of access and predictable, pro-consumer pricing are critical.

Lessons Learned from Past Programs

Bulk billing is a powerful affordability tool, but it is not the full solution on its own. Some residents still need additional support to access high-quality broadband. 

Past programs like the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) connected millions of Americans to essential service. Many of those beneficiaries were renters. However, a critical gap emerged. Residents in bulk billing arrangements were often ineligible for these programs because they did not receive a separate internet bill. Their connectivity costs were embedded within rent. 

This meant that residents in communities where affordability tools were already working, including seniors, students, and workforce housing, were excluded from additional support. These are precisely the renters who could have benefited the most. This is a signal that federal programs have not fully caught up with how broadband is delivered in today’s multifamily environment. 

RETTC Efforts

RETTC is actively engaging with the USF Working Group to ensure that future reformed programs do not make the same mistake. We are stressing to lawmakers that renters who participate in bulk billing agreements should be eligible for benefits through the Universal Service Fund. 

As Congress considers how to modernize the program, policymakers should recognize bulk billing and managed Wi-Fi as essential tools for affordability and access. They are already helping bridge the digital divide across urban, suburban, and rural communities. A forward-looking USF must ensure that support reaches renters equitably, whether connectivity is delivered through individual subscriptions or community-wide solutions. 

RETTC has reinforced this position through direct engagement and coalition advocacy, including a joint comment letter with the National Multifamily Housing Council and the National Apartment Association, urging clear eligibility for residents in bulk billing environments.