AG 1995 01 17 - Laserfiche WebLink

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01xi0/95 t?t [8 ~ ?04 J47 47t8 Centpalina COG P.01 ~ The new % la carte" regulatiom issued 11-18-94, set entirely new rules for 'a h carte" l/ers, now call/ng them "new product tiers". For packages created between April 1, 1993 and September ] 994 (which is the period in which the Superstatton and Preferred Packages were created), PCC ruled that Franchise Authorities may treat these existing packages as new product tiers (NPTs), even though they would not qualify under the rules established 11-1094. Therefore, as long as only a insignificant number of clmmels migrated from the Basic and CPS tier (which they did), the Superstatton and Preferred Packages would be acceptable under current NCC rules and regulations. In essence, the FCC, hie in issuing ils new "a la cane" rules, rewarded cable operators that sambled with a la carte packages, before the PCC clarified their rules. The FCC lakes respomibility for their unclear rules and h~ not, in most cases, penalized cable operators because their rules may have been vague. Other Instances may be subject to further review. Centralina will keep Cabarrus County informed of any future "a h carte" rulinis which may impact the County. Cent~alina CouncU of Oovernmenls concludes that Vision Cable's 'a la carte" ~ are in compllanee with currently applicable FCC roles. (Note that individual 'a h curie' cbAnne/s, or pay per view channels, are entirely exempt from Franchise Authority review..as are the individual prices set by thc operator, for each such channel.) For future reference, the newest FCC rules issued I 1-10-94, state that a Cable Operator may choose to offer future new product tiers, after 1-1-95, as long as limited conditions are met. V/sion Cable, therefore, would be flee to add nddlt/onal package services, expanding viewer choices, and would be able to offer these packages at a price they choose, as long as certain limited conditions were met. In add/tton, V/sion Cable would not have to complete an.v forms or obtain the a.vproval of the Franchise Authori_ty or FCC. Vision Cable cooperated with all requesm in the review process, providing all necezsary/nformation and clarifications, -- SUMMARY APPROVED BY: Saad~a Albrecht TITLE: Cable Telecommunications Admlnistrstor