Report No. CS 99-3    CABLE SERVICES ACTION                  March 26, 1999

          COMMISSION ADOPTS STREAMLINED CABLE PUBLIC 
                 FILE AND NOTICE  REQUIREMENTS
                      (CS DOCKET NO. 98-132)

     As part of an ongoing effort to streamline the regulatory process, the Commission has
adopted an order simplifying the Part 76 Cable Television Service public file and notice
requirement rules.  The Commission believes that the creation of simpler, more uniform public file
and notice requirements will lessen any confusion and reduce the regulatory burden on franchising
authorities, cable operators and other parties.  This action is part of the biennial regulatory review
process.

     The Part 76 cable television rules contain numerous public file, notice, record keeping, and
reporting requirements.  These requirements provide consumers with information about the
services they receive and the rates they pay.  For example, cable operators must notify subscribers
before increasing rates and must maintain records demonstrating compliance with certain safety
and quality standards.  These requirements also support the rights of programmers, and they
strengthen the Commission's efforts to enforce its rules and promote competition in the
multichannel video industry.  In the past, cable operators and others have expressed frustration
and difficulty in identifying some of these requirements and organizing them in a workable
manner.  This order streamlines and improves the public file and notice requirements while at the
same time continuing to protect consumers, enforce our rules, and promote competition.

Key elements of the order include:

          a reorganization of the Part 76 public file and notice rules to make identification and
     compliance easier.  Specifically, three new subsections are created to help those using the
     file quickly find information.  Those subsections are:

                    T - notices about rate or service changes, notices about changes in operations,
          political cablecasting notices, notices required to be given to new subscribers,
          annual notices, miscellaneous notices.

                    U - public inspection file documents, upon request documents.

          V - reports and filings

          the elimination of unnecessary, outdated and redundant requirements.

          lessening confusion by the consolidation of the public file so that they are located in one
     place.

          the expansion of the definition of small systems for public file purposes.

          the use of the Internet to fulfill record keeping requirements.  This will reduce
     administrative burdens on cable operators and make the information easier for the public
     to access.

Action by the Commission February 1, 1999, by Report and Order (FCC 99-12). Chairman
Kennard, Commissioners Ness, Powell and Tristani, with Commissioner Furchtgott-Roth
dissenting and issuing a statement..

                              -FCC -

News Media contact: Morgan Broman at (202) 418-0852.
Cable Services Bureau contact: Carolyn Fleming at (202) 418-7200.
TTY: (202) 418-7172