FCC Seeks Input on Leased Access Paperwork Hassle
Published Date: 4/15/2025
Notice
Summary
The FCC is checking in on some paperwork rules that affect businesses and nonprofits who deal with commercial leased access rates and disputes. They want your thoughts on how to make these forms easier and less time-consuming before June 16, 2025. This review won’t cost money but aims to cut down on hassle and keep things clear and fair.
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
Required Leased-Access Info Within 30 Days
If you are a prospective leased-access programmer, cable operators must provide requested leased-access information within 30 calendar days of a bona fide written request (45 days for systems entitled to small system relief). The operator must disclose available set-aside capacity, a complete schedule of full-time leased access rates, rates for technical and studio costs, and, if requested, a sample leased access contract.
Billing and Collection Services Requirement
Cable operators must provide billing and collection services to leased-access programmers unless the operator demonstrates the availability of third-party billing and collection services that are substantially equivalent in cost and accessibility to those available to comparable non-leased-access programmers.
Accountant Report Required Before Filing Disputes
If you want to file a petition alleging a cable operator's leased access rate is unreasonable, you must first obtain a determination of the operator's maximum permitted rate from an independent accountant and attach the final accountant's report to your petition. If parties cannot agree on an accountant, each selects one on the sixth business day and those two select a third within five business days (operators with small system relief have 14 business days to select an accountant).
Application Fee Cap for Information Requests
When you request system-specific leased-access information, you may be required to pay an application fee of up to $100 per system-specific bona fide request that the cable operator requires.
Deadlines for Answers and Replies in Disputes
After a petition is served, the cable operator or respondent has 30 days to file an answer (showing the rate is not higher than the maximum permitted, supported by an affidavit). Replies to answers must be filed within 15 days after the answer is submitted.
Website Contact Disclosure Requirement
Cable system operators must disclose on their websites (or by alternate means if they lack a website) a contact name or title, telephone number, and email address for the person responsible for responding to leased-access information requests.
Paperwork Burden and Annual Cost Estimates
The FCC estimates this information collection involves 2,677 respondents, 6,879 responses, an estimated time per response of 0.5 to 40 hours, a total annual burden of 17,131 hours, and total annual cost of $118,000.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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