Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 207 CMR - CABLE TELEVISION DIVISION › Title 207 CMR 10.00 - BILLING AND TERMINATION OF CABLE SERVICE › Section 10.02 - Services, Rates and Charges Notice

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
(1)
			 Upon request, a cable television operator shall give notice of its services,
			 rates, and charges to potential subscribers before a subscription agreement is
			 reached. Otherwise, a cable television operator shall give notice of its
			 services, rates, and charges to subscribers at the time a subscription
			 agreement is reached.
(2) At least
			 30 days prior to implementing an increase in one of its rates, charges, or
			 fees, or a substantial change in the number or type of programming services,
			 the cable operator shall notify, in writing, the Department, the issuing
			 authority, and all affected subscribers of the change and shall include a
			 description of the increased rate or charge. The notice shall list the old and
			 new rate or charge and, if applicable, the old and new programming services
			 provided. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a cable television operator shall not
			 be required to provide prior notice of any rate change that is the result of a
			 regulatory fee, franchise fee, or any other fee, tax, assessment, or charge of
			 any kind imposed by any federal or state agency or franchising authority on the
			 transaction between the operator and the subscriber. An operator shall notify
			 in writing, the Department, the issuing authority, and all affected subscribers
			 of any such change as soon as possible.
(3) Every cable television operator shall
			 fully disclose in writing all of its programming services and rates, upon
			 request from a subscriber.
(4)
			 Every cable television operator shall fully disclose in writing all of its
			 charges for installation, disconnection, downgrades and upgrades, reconnection,
			 additional outlets, and rental, purchase, and replacement due to damage or
			 theft of equipment or devices used in relation to cable services, upon request
			 from a subscriber.
(5) Every cable
			 television operator shall provide written notice of the charge, if any, for
			 service visits and under what circumstances such charge will be imposed, upon
			 request from a subscriber.
(6) A
			 copy of the cable operator's programming services, rates, and charges shall be
			 filed by March 15th of each year with the
			 Department, the issuing authority, and the operator's local office where it
			 shall be made available for public inspection. If an operator amends its notice
			 after the annual filing, it shall file a copy of the amendment with the
			 Department, the issuing authority, and the operator's local office.
(7) A cable operator shall not charge a
			 subscriber for any service or equipment that the subscriber has not
			 affirmatively requested by name. This provision, however, shall not preclude
			 the addition or deletion of a specific program from a service offering, the
			 addition or deletion of specific channels from an existing tier of service, or
			 the restructuring or division of existing tiers of service that do not result
			 in a fundamental change in the nature of an existing service or tier of
			 service.