NEWSReport No. CS 96-31                  CABLE SERVICES ACTION             October 10, 1996


                 EFFECTIVE COMPETITION ORDER GRANTED FOR 
                 DOVER TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY CABLE OPERATOR
                                     

      The FCC's Cable Services Bureau has granted a petition finding the presence of
"effective competition" in Dover Township, New Jersey under the local exchange carrier
effective competition test adopted in the Telecommunications Act of 1996.  The petition was
filed by Adelphia Cable Communications ("Adelphia") regarding its system in Dover
Township.  The Order revokes the certification of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
applicable to the Dover Township Adelphia franchise, which is known as Clear Cablevision.

     In its filing, Adelphia argued that the Dover Township system was subject to effective
competition from  FutureVision, a multichannel video programming distributor which uses the
facilities of Bell Atlantic, the telephone local exchange carrier ("LEC").  Key elements of the
order granting the petition include:

     The finding that the LEC met the effective competition test, which requires that
     competitive service be offered directly to subscribers in the franchise area of an
     unaffiliated cable operator which is providing cable service in that franchise
     area.  In enacting the LEC test, Congress indicated that the Commission should
     apply its preexisting definition of the term "offer" to the LEC effective
     competition test.  This definition provides that service is offered: (1) When the
     multichannel video programming distributor is physically able to deliver service
     to potential subscribers, with the addition of no or only minimal additional
     investment by the distributor, in order for an individual subscriber to receive
     service; and (2) When no regulatory, technical or other impediments to
     households taking service exist, and potential subscribers in the franchise area
     are reasonably aware that they may purchase the services of the multichannel
     video programming distributor.

     As noted by Adelphia, recent events regarding the ongoing competitive
     situation in Dover Township confirm not only that potential subscribers are
     likely to be aware of their competitive options but that the expected beneficial
     effects of competition are taking place.   For example, FutureVision's entry as


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      a video programming provider in Dover Township has had a marked impact upon the
     cable rates and services of Adelphia.  After FutureVision began offering service,
     Adelphia lowered its monthly basic service rate from $25.28 to $18.95.  FutureVision
     then lowered its monthly fee to $14.95.

     FutureVision's more than 2,600 subscribers, Bell Atlantic's ongoing installation
     activities in Dover, FutureVision's aggressive marketing efforts, and the
     extensive press coverage of Bell Atlantic and FutureVision's activities in the
     local media, ensure that potential subscribers are reasonably aware of the
     availability of competitive video distribution service.  Although FutureVision's
     ability to offer service to households in some part of the franchise area remains
     somewhat restricted, in light of all the circumstances, the Bureau concluded that
     competitive service is being offered in a manner sufficient to comply with the
     applicable standard.    

     Action by the Chief, Cable Services Bureau October 10, 1996, by Order (DA 96-
1691).

                                  - FCC -
     
News Media Contact:  Morgan Broman (202) 418-2358
Cable Services Bureau Contact:  Steve Broeckaert (202) 418-7200