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Property Manager, Landlord, and HOA Internet Restrictions
Too many Bay Area residents are told they must use a specific internet provider because of their landlord, apartment complex, or HOA. In most cases, that simply isn’t true.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has been clear: consumers have the right to choose their own internet provider, and exclusive arrangements that limit competition are heavily restricted. Yet big national ISPs continue to benefit from outdated agreements and confusion—leaving residents stuck with unreliable service, rising prices, and poor support when better local options are available.
What the FCC Says About Internet Provider Choice
The FCC has taken repeated action to promote competition and protect consumer choice in multi-dwelling units (MDUs) like apartments, condos, and HOA-managed communities.
Under FCC rules:
- Exclusive service agreements that prevent other providers from offering service are prohibited
- Revenue-sharing agreements that discourage competition are heavily scrutinized
- Property owners cannot block access to qualified providers who can serve residents safely and legally
The FCC’s position is simple: competition benefits consumers through better pricing, improved reliability, and stronger customer service.
Being forced to use a single, big-name ISP—especially when that service is unreliable or poorly supported—undermines those protections.
Why Forced ISP Arrangements Hurt Bay Area Residents
The Bay Area is a diverse section of growing cities with seniors, families, small businesses, and remote workers who all depend on stable internet access. When residents are locked into a single provider:
- Prices rise without accountability
- Service quality stagnates
- Out-of-state support centers fail to understand local issues
- Infrastructure upgrades lag behind community needs
Local internet providers often deliver more reliable service, better support, and transparent pricing, but are kept out due to legacy agreements that no longer serve residents.
That’s not just frustrating—it’s wrong.
Local Internet Providers Deserve a Fair Shot
When a landlord or HOA blocks access to local ISPs, it doesn’t just limit consumer choice, it sends money out of the community.
Local providers:
- Employ Bay Area residents
- Invest directly in local infrastructure
- Respond faster to outages and issues
- Offer pricing structures that work for seniors and small businesses
Bay Area residents should not be forced into long contracts or throttled service when better, more suitable local internet providers are available.
How to Talk to Your Property Manager or HOA Board
If you’re being told you “can’t” choose your own internet provider, here are practical steps you can take:
1. Ask for the policy in writing
Request documentation showing why alternative providers are not allowed. Many restrictions fall apart when examined closely.
2. Reference FCC consumer choice protections
Calmly note that the FCC prohibits exclusive ISP arrangements and encourages competitive access in MDUs.
3. Emphasize resident choice—not disruption
Make it clear you are requesting the option to choose, not forcing changes on other residents.
4. Ask whether access has actually been evaluated
Many HOAs assume alternatives aren’t possible without ever consulting local providers.
5. Frame it as a resident benefit
Competition improves service quality, reduces complaints, and increases property value.
The Bay Area Deserves Better Than “Take It or Leave It” Internet
Being told you must accept poor service because of where you live is unacceptable—especially in the Bay Area which values fairness, access, and community investment.
Internet is no longer a luxury. It’s essential infrastructure.
Residents deserve the freedom to choose what’s right for them, transparent pricing, reliable service, local support. They deserve protection from outdated agreements that favor large corporations over the people who actually live here.
Choose Local. Choose Better. Choose What Works for You.
If you live in the Bay Area and want a reliable local internet provider, you have rights—and you have options.
Competition is good for consumers. Choice is good for communities. And the Bay Area deserves both.
Talk to Unwired Ltd today! We believe in offering everyone reliable service and hands-on local support all at an affordable flat rate. Check if you are in our network here.
If you are faced with property or HOA internet restrictions and you believe there are exclusivity contracts or feel that an ISP is involved in limiting your ability to choose other services, file a complaint direct with the FCC here.