Jordan Carter said she enjoys her cable service, but wished there were more channels available to her.

Thanks to a recent Federal Communications Commission ruling, she may get her wish.

The FCC recently passed an order striking down exclusivity contracts between landlords of multiple dwelling units and cable companies, which would allow tenants in apartment buildings and condominiums to choose their own cable provider.

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“I like it, I just don’t like that they don’t have Oxygen,” said Carter, a junior from Springfield studying social work.

Carter lives in Aspen Court apartments, where the owners have such a contract. Tenants there receive Mediacom’s basic cable service as part of their utilities, but must pay more for expanded cable services.

According to the FCC’s order, nearly 30 percent of Americans live in these MDUs, and the number is growing. The order claims exclusivity contracts are an unfair business practice, and it is aimed at increasing competition in the market and improving choices for consumers.

Though it is in its early stages, the order will not become a law until the FCC formally writes up the conditions, something that could take months.

A spokeswoman for the FCC did not return multiple calls seeking comment.

Lesa Shelton, manager of Carbondale Towers, said her apartments are covered by such an exclusivity contract, but the contract allows for reduced prices for her tenants.

“The good thing about exclusive contracts was that we were able to negotiate reduced prices for our building,” Shelton said.

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According to Shelton, through the use of their contract, the Carbondale Towers were able to offer cable services for as much as 50 percent off the standard price.

Randy Hollis, senior manager of government relations for Mediacom, said there has been little information disseminated about the order so far and it is still waiting for more concrete information to be released.

“All we’ve seen at this point is a few comments from the chairman and commissioner, so any comments we make right now would be premature,” Hollis said. “Our corporate legal staff will look it over once the report is made available.”

Not every MDU has such a contract with a cable provider, and anyone seeking more information about their cable choices is encouraged to speak with his or her landlord.

David Lopez can be reached at

536-3311 ext. 273 or at [email protected].