Broadband Equipment Rental Reform Act

Bill: 117-hr-2667
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2]
Introduced: 2021-04-19
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Consumer affairs

Internet, web applications, social media

Lease and rental services

Telecommunication rates and fees
Latest action: action_date: 2021-04-20
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-04-19
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Broadband Equipment Rental Reform Act</b></p> <p>This bill prohibits a broadband internet provider from charging a consumer for the rental, lease, or provision of equipment if the consumer has paid the purchase price of such equipment through monthly rental fees. </p>

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2667 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 19, 2021 Mr. Van Drew introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit providers of broadband internet access service from charging consumers above certain amounts for certain equipment.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Broadband Equipment Rental Reform Act . 2. Prohibition on charging consumers above certain amounts for certain rented equipment Section 642 of the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 562 ) is amended— (1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and (2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following: (d) Prohibition on charging consumers above certain amounts for certain equipment A provider of fixed broadband internet access service that enters into a contract with a consumer after the date of the enactment of this paragraph for the provision of such service may not charge the consumer for renting, leasing, or otherwise providing to the consumer equipment (such as a router or modem) employed on the premises of the consumer for the provision of such service, if the consumer has paid to the provider through monthly rental fees the price offered to the consumer by the provider (at the time the contract was entered into) for purchasing the equipment from the provider. .