Section 76.1603 - Customer service-rate and service changes(a) A cable franchise authority may enforce the customer service standards set forth in paragraph (b) of this section against cable operators. The franchise authority must provide affected cable operators 90 days written notice of its intent to enforce standards.(b) Cable operators shall provide written notice to subscribers of any changes in rates or services. Notice shall be provided to subscribers at least 30 days in advance of the change, unless the change results from circumstances outside of the cable operator's control (including failed retransmission consent or program carriage negotiations during the last 30 days of a contract), in which case notice shall be provided as soon as possible using any reasonable written means at the operator's sole discretion, including Channel Slates. Notice of rate changes shall include the precise amount of the rate change and explain the reason for the change in readily understandable terms. Notice of changes involving the addition or deletion of channels shall individually identify each channel affected.(c) A cable operator not subject to effective competition shall provide 30 days' advance notice to its local franchising authority of any increase proposed in the price to be charged for the basic service tier.(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of part 76 of this chapter, a cable 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 agency, State, or franchising authority on the transaction between the operator and the subscriber.65 FR 53617, Sept. 5, 2000, as amended at 66 FR 16554, Mar. 26, 2001; 77 FR 67302, Dec. 10, 2012; 85 FR 71854, Nov. 12, 2020 NOTE 1 TO § 76.1603: Section 624(h) of the Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. 544(h) , contains additional notification requirements which a franchising authority may enforce.
NOTE 2 TO § 76.1603: Section 624(d)(3) of the Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. 544(d)(3) , contains additional notification provisions pertaining to cable operators who offer a premium channel without charge to cable subscribers who do not subscribe to such premium channel.
NOTE 3 TO § 76.1603: Section 631 of the Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. 551 , contains additional notification requirements pertaining to the protection of subscriber privacy.