Services, Rates and Charges Notice

(1) Upon request, a cable television operator shall give notice of its services, rates, and charges to potential subscribers before a subscription agreement is reached. Otherwise, a cable television operator shall give notice of its services, rates, and charges to subscribers at the time a subscription agreement is reached. (2) At least 30 days prior to implementing an increase in one of its rates, charges, or fees, or a substantial change in the number or type of programming services, the cable operator shall notify, in writing, the Department, the issuing authority, and all affected subscribers of the change and shall include a description of the increased rate or charge. The notice shall list the old and new rate or charge and, if applicable, the old and new programming services provided. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a cable television operator shall not be required to provide prior notice of any rate change that is the result of a regulatory fee, franchise fee, or any other fee, tax, assessment, or charge of any kind imposed by any federal or state agency or franchising authority on the transaction between the operator and the subscriber. An operator shall notify in writing, the Department, the issuing authority, and all affected subscribers of any such change as soon as possible. (3) Every cable television operator shall fully disclose in writing all of its programming services and rates, upon request from a subscriber. (4) Every cable television operator shall fully disclose in writing all of its charges for installation, disconnection, downgrades and upgrades, reconnection, additional outlets, and rental, purchase, and replacement due to damage or theft of equipment or devices used in relation to cable services, upon request from a subscriber. (MA REG. # 1347, Dated 9-8-17) 10.02: continued (5) Every cable television operator shall provide written notice of the charge, if any, for service visits and under what circumstances such charge will be imposed, upon request from a subscriber. (6) A copy of the cable operator's programming services, rates, and charges shall be filed by March th 15 of each year with the Department, the issuing authority, and the operator's local office where it shall be made available for public inspection. If an operator amends its notice after the annual filing, it shall file a copy of the amendment with the Department, the issuing authority, and the operator's local office. (7) A cable operator shall not charge a subscriber for any service or equipment that the subscriber has not affirmatively requested by name. This provision, however, shall not preclude the addition or deletion of a specific program from a service offering, the addition or deletion of specific channels from an existing tier of service, or the restructuring or division of existing tiers of service that do not result in a fundamental change in the nature of an existing service or tier of service.