March 2, 1994
                                     
        FCC TO HOLD CABLE SEMINAR IN CHICAGO FOR STATE AND LOCAL
      GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCIES AND   
                              ORGANIZATIONS

     On March 15, 16, and 17, 1994, the Federal Communications
Commission will hold a seminar on cable television regulation at
the Clarion Hotel, Rosemont, IL.  This is the second of four
seminars to be held across the country.  The seminar is open to all
state and local government officials, congressional staff members
and consumer protection agencies and other consumer groups.  The
goals of these seminars are to strengthen the FCC's working
relationship with state and local officials in the area of cable
regulation; to educate franchising authorities about the
certification process and their regulatory authority; and to help
consumers understand their rights under the Cable Television
Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992.

     Registration for this seminar includes a check-in registration
on March 15 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm and a get-acquainted reception
with FCC personnel from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.  On March 16 there will
be a check-in period and coffee hour beginning at 7:00 am. The
program will begin at 8:00 am and end at 5:30 pm.  The session on
the March 16 will emphasize cable television system rate regulation
issues. Other topics, including the certification process for
franchising authorities, will also be addressed.  The session on
the final day will include a check-in period beginning at 7:00 am
and a one-hour breakfast reception beginning at 8:00 am.  The
general session will begin at 9:00 am and end at 5:30 pm.  The
session on the third day will cover, among other things, rate
regulation, the rate complaint process, the carriage of broadcast
signals and cablecast programs on cable television systems,
customer service and subscriber signal quality standards, cable
home wiring, leased commercial access and public, educational and
governmental access channels, program content issues, and the
Commission's proposal for cable-compatible consumer home electronic
equipment.

     "These seminars are just one part of our effort to reach out
to state and local  regulatory officials, state attorneys general,
legislative members, congressional staff members, and consumer
protection agencies and organizations," said Acting Cable Services
Bureau Chief Sandy Wilson.  "Implementation of the 1992 Cable Act 

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will be an ongoing process.  In order for us to meet our goal of
competitive prices in the cable marketplace, we need the help of
state and local regulators as well as consumers.  We want everyone
who is affected by this new law to understand their rights and
their responsibilities."

     Seminars will also be held March 22-24 in Kansas City, MO, and
April 12-14 in San Francisco.  There is no registration fee for
these seminars, but each participant must submit a registration
form and seating is limited.

     To register for or for more information on the Chicago
seminar, please contact FCC Representative Chris Jelinek at (708)
298-5401 (FAX: (708) 298-5403).    

                  OTHER CABLE SEMINAR SITES AND CONTACTS


                            KANSAS CITY SEMINAR
                             MARCH 22-24, 1994

Site:          Park Place Hotel, Kansas City, Missouri

Contact:       Karen Raines, FCC Representative
               Telephone: (816) 353-8201
               FAX:  (816) 353-0611


                           SAN FRANCISCO SEMINAR
                             APRIL 12-14, 1994

Site:          Clarion Hotel San Francisco Airport, Millbrae,
               California

Contact:       Amy Freundlich, FCC Representative
               Telephone: (510) 732-9046
               FAX: (310) 865-0736

                                   -FCC-


     News Media Contacts: Maureen Peratino or Susan Lewis Sallet at
(202) 632-5050. 
     Cable Services Bureau Contact: Cynthia Ward Jeffries at (202)
416-0902.