Category: Newsletter

www.bennetlaw.com What is a Franchise? • Two Observations Flow From This Definition: • 1.Federal Franchise Requirement Can Be Satisfied Easily 2. 2.State & Local Governments (LFAs) Are Given Wide Latitude To Define Franchise Obligations and Scope of Franchise Based On State And/Or Local Laws Within CA Parameters: lNon-Exclusive lReasonable Construction Deadlines for Non-Incumbent lLFA Can’t…

www.bennetlaw.com What is a Franchise? •For federal law (CA 602(9)) purposes a franchise is: • • “an initial authorization, or renewal thereof . . . issued by a franchising authority, whether such authorization is designated as a franchise, permit, license, resolution, contract, certificate, agreement, or otherwise, which authorizes the construction or operation of a cable…

www.bennetlaw.com 3. Cable Operator Federal Law  (Title VI-CA  Section 621) Requires Cable Operators To Obtain Local Franchise To Provide Cable Services • Exceptions: lMunicipal Cable Systems l Grandfathered Systems l Lawfully operating as of July 1, 1984 l Municipality can trump l

www.bennetlaw.com 2. Common Carrier Federal Regulation (CA Title II )-No 214 Existing State/Local Regulation-Telecommunications Services Scope of Existing Authorization •

www.bennetlaw.com 1. Wireless Carrier Federal Regulation (CA Title III ) Local Regulation l (Tower siting/zoning) l (Consumer Protection) l Local Taxation Issues •

www.bennetlaw.com Communications Act (CA)  Section 651 •Four Options for Telcos To Offer Video Services  l 1. Wireless Carrier l 2. Common Carrier l 3. Cable System l 4. Open Video System (OVS) l- – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –…

www.bennetlaw.com Question: Do I Need a Franchise to Offer Video Programming to My Telco Customers? Short Answer: It Depends on Your Entry Strategy

Regulatory Strategies for Video: Do I Need A Franchise? The Fall 2003, Independent Telco Video Content Conference Las Vegas, NV October 14 & 15, 2003 Howard S. Shapiro, Senior Counsel Bennet & Bennet, PLLC www.bennetlaw.com