Your Landlord is About to Have More Control Over Your Internet Than You Think
The battle for your home internet is quietly shifting, and it’s not about faster speeds – it’s about control. Verizon’s recent acquisition of Starry, a specialist in fixed wireless access (FWA) for apartment buildings, isn’t just a tech upgrade; it’s a strategic move that could dramatically limit your choices and hand more power to your landlord. While the promise of wireless internet bypassing costly infrastructure is appealing, the reality is a looming consolidation that threatens to replace one set of gatekeepers with another.
The Rise of Wireless and the Landlord Advantage
For decades, getting internet meant dealing with the local cable company, or settling for slower DSL. Laying fiber optic cables is expensive and time-consuming, creating a natural barrier to competition. But 5G and fixed wireless access are changing the game. Companies like Verizon and T-Mobile can now beam internet directly to homes and apartments using their cellular networks, sidestepping the need for extensive physical infrastructure.
Starry pioneered this approach, focusing specifically on dense residential areas – apartment buildings. Their expertise wasn’t just about the technology; it was about navigating the complex relationships with property management companies. Verizon’s acquisition gives them a crucial foothold inside those buildings, a direct line to potentially millions of subscribers. This isn’t simply about adding customers; it’s about controlling access.
A Three-Player Race with a Shrinking Field
T-Mobile has already demonstrated the power of this model with its wildly successful 5G Home Internet, offering a simple, contract-free alternative to traditional cable. AT&T is also in the mix, expanding its fiber network while simultaneously offering its own fixed wireless service, AT&T Internet Air. But this competition is fueling a wave of acquisitions. Verizon isn’t alone – T-Mobile is buying up regional fiber companies, and all three major carriers are actively absorbing smaller ISPs.
Each acquisition removes a potential competitor, pushing us closer to a future dominated by Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T. This consolidation isn’t happening in a vacuum. As reported by the Federal Communications Commission, broadband availability is increasing, but the number of independent providers is dwindling.
The Illusion of Choice in Multi-Dwelling Units
The real danger lies in how these larger companies leverage their position with landlords. While the FCC has rules preventing exclusive deals that lock out other ISPs, loopholes abound. Landlords can sign exclusive marketing agreements, or – more commonly – bulk-billing deals where internet service is included in the rent.
This seemingly convenient arrangement can quickly become a trap. Imagine being a T-Mobile customer who wants to bundle services, or preferring a local fiber provider. With Verizon controlling access through a preferred provider agreement, you could be forced to use a service you don’t want, or pay extra to maintain your existing setup. It’s a return to the days of limited choice, only this time the gatekeepers are mobile carriers instead of cable companies.
What Does This Mean for Renters?
The situation is particularly precarious for renters. Landlords hold the ultimate power over building access, making it easy for them to favor one ISP over others. A sweet deal offered by Verizon – a revenue share, or a simplified billing process – could be enough to sway a property management company. The convenience of “internet included in your rent” masks the loss of control.
Beyond the Big Three: The Squeeze on Innovation
This consolidation isn’t just about limiting consumer choice; it’s about stifling innovation. Smaller, independent ISPs often provide superior customer service and are more willing to experiment with new technologies. But they lack the resources to compete with the marketing power and acquisition sprees of the Big Three. As these smaller players are absorbed, the industry loses valuable diversity and dynamism.
The future of home internet isn’t necessarily about faster speeds; it’s about who controls access. The shift towards wireless access offers exciting possibilities, but it also creates new opportunities for consolidation and control. We’re trading one set of gatekeepers for another, and the walls are closing in on consumer choice, especially for those living in apartment complexes.
What are your predictions for the future of home internet access? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
