Source: https://www.ecode360.com/27421185
Timestamp: 2020-06-04 02:52:52
Document Index: 601756315

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 132', '§ 132', '§ 132', '§ 132', '§ 132', 'art 7', '§ 132']

Borough of Wilmerding, PA CABLE TELEVISION
§ 132-2 Obtaining certification.
§ 132-3 Regulatory authority.
§ 132-4 Rate applications.
§ 132-6 Rate-making appeals.
§ 132-7 Other matters.
Chapter 132 CABLE TELEVISION
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Wilmerding 11-9-1993 by Ord. No. 926 (Ch. 13, Part 7, of the 1989 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
At a minimum, includes all signals of domestic television broadcast stations provided to any subscriber [except a signal secondarily transmitted by satellite carrier beyond the local service area of such station, regardless of how such signal is ultimately received by the cable operator(s)], any public, educational and governmental programming required by the franchise agreement to be carried on the basic tier and any additional video programming signals or service added to the basic tier by the cable operators.
Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act, Pub. L. No. 102 - 385, 106 Stat. 1460 (1992).
A combination of multiple channels of pay-per-channel or pay-per-program video programming offered on a multiplexed or time-shifted basis so long as the combined service: i) consists of commonly identified video programming; and ii) is not bundled with any regulated tier service.
The certification received by the franchising authority from the FCC empowering the franchising authority to regulate certain cable television rates.
Wilmerding Borough Council.
Any refund ordered by the franchising authority of rates charged for the basic service tier and/or the rates for the equipment and installation necessary to receive the basic service tier pursuant to the terms contained in § 132-4D(2).
Upon the effective date of certification, the franchising authority shall provide notice to the cable operator(s) of its certification, its intention to regulate rates for the basic service tier and the equipment and installation necessary to receive the basic service tier.
In the event that the franchising authority shall not obtain certification or that its certification shall be reconsidered and revoked, the franchising authority is hereby authorized to take such steps as are necessary to receive certification.
The cable operator(s) shall give notice to subscribers within 90 days (or three billing cycles) of the effective date of the rules adopted by the franchising authority and all new subscribers at the time of installation of the availability of the basic service tier.
Each cable operator shall submit a rate application to the franchising authority for approval of that cable operator's current rates for the basic service tier and for approval of its rates for the equipment and installation necessary to receive the basic service tier, and for approval of any proposed rate increase.
The rate application for any proposed increase in rates for the basic service tier or the equipment and installation necessary to receive the basic service tier shall be filed a minimum of 30 days before the effective date of the proposed increase.
The cable operator(s) shall submit any relevant information as is permitted by FCC rules, as contained on the application and worksheets adopted by the FCC for rate applications, and which the cable operator(s) would like the franchising authority to consider in evaluating the current rates of the basic service tier and/or for the equipment and installation necessary to receive the basic service tier and/or in evaluating any proposed rate increase of those same items.
If the current rates for the basic service tier and/or for the equipment and installation necessary to receive the basic service tier or any proposed rate increase exceed the maximum permitted rates, the cable operator(s) may submit a cost-of-service rate application in conformity with FCC rules. Only the cable operator(s) may decide whether to submit a cost-of-service rate application.
The rate application has been received from the cable operator(s);
The franchising authority shall issue an order and serve the same upon the cable operator(s) indicating that additional time is required to consider the rate application. The order shall be issued prior to the expiration of the 30 days during which the franchising authority may consider the rate application. Within seven days of issuance of such order, the franchising authority shall publish notice in a newspaper of general circulation within the jurisdiction of the franchising authority, which notice shall contain a summary of the order, including the additional time requested, and the reasons for requesting such additional time.
If no decision is issued by the franchising authority at the expiration of the additional time, the current rates or proposed rate increase shall become effective, subject to any later refund order adopted by the franchising authority. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the franchising authority, in order to later order a refund, must within the text of the order direct the cable operator(s) to keep an accurate account of all amounts received by reason of the rate in issue and on whose behalf such amounts were paid.
The franchising authority shall issue an order and serve the same upon the cable operator(s) indicating that additional time is required to consider the rate application because it is a cost-of-service rate application. The order shall be issued prior to the expiration of the 30 days during which the franchising authority may consider the rate application. Within seven days of issuance of such order, the franchising authority shall publish notice in a newspaper of general circulation within the jurisdiction of the franchising authority, which notice shall contain a summary of the order, including the additional time requested and the reasons for requesting such additional time.
The franchising authority may require the cable operator(s) to furnish additional specified information, including proprietary information, when the current rate or proposed rate increase is in excess of the maximum permitted rate. When the current rate is equal to or below the maximum permitted rate, the franchising authority may only require furnishing of documentation that the rate is within the maximum permitted rate. Any proprietary information furnished to the franchising authority shall be retained as confidential in conformity with the regulations adopted by the FCC in this regard, a copy of which regulations are on file with and available for review upon request to the franchising authority.
Current rates. If the franchising authority shall issue an opinion disapproving the current rates of the cable operator(s) for the basic service tier or for rates for the equipment and installation necessary to receive the basic service tier, the franchising authority may order a reduction in the current rates for the basic service tier and/or for the equipment and installation necessary to receive the basic service tier. The prospective rate adjustment may be set at: i) a level consistent with the FCC adopted maximum permitted rate; ii) another rate, based on review of a cost-of-service rate application; or iii) another rate consistent with FCC rules.
The franchising authority: i) has issued an order permitting it to take an additional 90 or 150 days to consider a rate application; and ii) has directed the cable operator(s) to keep an accurate account of all amounts received by reason of the rate in issue and on whose behalf such amounts were paid; but iii) failed to issue an opinion during that time period causing the rates to become provisionally effective and the franchising authority later finds all or a portion of the rates to be unreasonable. In such instance, the refund period may be retroactive to the date of the order and ending on the date on which the cable operator implements the prospective rate reduction or one year, whichever is shorter.
In addition to all of the rights and remedies provided herein, the franchising authority shall have all rights and remedies afforded under the franchise agreement.
Unless otherwise provided, any person convicted of violating any provision of this chapter, including any order issued or any rules or regulation promulgated hereunder, shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than $600 and costs for each offense and, in default of payment thereof, may be imprisoned for not more than 30 days. Each day of a continuing violation shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.
Appeals of all rate-making decisions by the franchising authority may be taken to the FCC by the cable operator(s), subscribers or other interested parties.
Opposition to an appeal must be filed within 15 days after filing the appeal and must be served on the party appealing.
The decision to file a complaint with the FCC by the franchising authority shall be the sole discretion of the franchising authority.
The franchising authority, if it chooses not to file a complaint, may, but is not required to, assist a subscriber in filing a complaint.
A cable operator shall provide notice to the franchising authority at least 30 days in advance of any change in rates for cable programming service or associated equipment.