Collegiate Times

For most Virginia Tech students, decisions made by the Federal Communications Commission may seem irrelevant.

That may have changed Wednesday, however, when a rule spearheaded by the FCC was approved that will change the way many people choose their cable television providers.

The new rule ends thousands of contracts between independent cable companies and apartment buildings, potentially cutting the cost of cable television and Internet access by introducing competition.

This change will hit home in Blacksburg for residents in many apartment complexes. Terrace View Apartments, Collegiate Suites and several other complexes in Blacksburg had exclusive contracts with cable companies and will now be required to offer students other choices for cable access.

According to an FCC news release, "the use of exclusivity clauses in contracts for the provision of video services to (multi-dwelling units) constitutes an unfair method of competition."

Options for consumers will include other cable companies and satellite providers, such as Comcast, AT&T and Verizon Communications, which have begun offering their own cable services. It's the hope of the FCC that competition between all of these providers will reduce cable prices for apartment residents.Terrace View declined to comment for this story.