FCC Streamlines Cable Rate Regulations

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has taken the next step in its effort to streamline its regulations by approving new rules applicable to cable rates for television services.

In a Report and Order, the Commission implemented a number of changes originally proposed in 2018, including the removal of 77 rules or requirements and eight forms the FCC deems “unnecessary.” Specific changes include:

Deregulating cable equipment that is not used exclusively to receive the basic level of cable service;
Deregulating small cable systems serving 15,000 or fewer subscribers;
Declining to extend rate regulation to commercial establishments; and
Revising and simplifying the process for cable operators to establish an initial regulated rate for services.

The latest action by the FCC is part of “Delete, Delete, Delete,” the Commission’s deregulation initiative, which it says is intended to “facilitate network modernization, infrastructure development, and performance innovation.”

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The FCC’s Report and Order streamlining cable rate regulations is available at https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-25-33A1.pdf.