March 11, 1994 FCC TO HOLD CABLE SEMINAR IN KANSAS CITY FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS On March 22, 23, and 24, 1994, the Federal Communications Commission will hold a seminar on cable television regulation at the Park Place Hotel, Kansas City, MO. This is the third 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 22 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 23 there will be a check-in period and coffee hour beginning at 7:00 am. The program will begin at 9:00 am and end at 5:30 pm. The session on the March 23 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 (over) -2- 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." Another seminar will also be held 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 Kansas City seminar, please contact FCC Representative Karen Raines at (816) 353-8201 (FAX: (816) 353-0611). OTHER CABLE SEMINAR SITE AND CONTACT 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.