(a) to limitation on regulatory power of Federal agencies, States, or franchising authorities, in subsec.
The Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984, in its amendments to the Communications Act of 1934 [47 U.S.C. 151 et seq.], limited the regulatory authority of franchising authorities over cable operators.
Franchising authorities are finding it difficult under the current regulatory scheme to deny renewals to cable systems that are not adequately serving cable subscribers.
The legislation would replace the regulatory role of more than 30,000 local franchising authorities with a national system supervised by the Federal Communications Commission.
Similar rules preventing BT, Britain's incumbent operator, from providing entertainment services were abolished a few years ago, opening the way for the launch of its television service this year.In America the launch of television services by telecoms firms has been held back by complicated rules that require operators to win approval from thousands of local franchising authorities.
Satellite packages and basic packages, which include ABC, NBC and CBS, are regulated by the FCC and city cable franchising authorities.
Overwhelmed by complaints from local franchising authorities about a la carte packages, the FCC last November ruled it would regulate all such packages created in the future.
Moreover, Section 621(b)(3) of the Act (47 U.S.C. § 541(b)(3)) further specifically prohibits franchising authorities from requiring cable franchises for the provision of telecommunications service or in any way restricting or impeding the provision of such service.
L. 104 104, § 301(b)(1)(A), substituted "franchising authority (in accordance with paragraph (3))" for "subscriber, franchising authority, or other relevant State or local government entity".
