Legal Question in Business Law in New York

Are cable companies required to provide access?

Are cable companies required to provide access? I live in a semi-rural area, our local cable company (Time Warner) refuses to provide cable access to the road on which I live, they do proivde service to most of my town. There is no other access to local tv channels nor access to comparable broadband access. Our neibors have tried to get ''enough'' people commiting to subscribe if service is provided but the cable company will still not provide service. As the cable company has a monopoly and there is no other access to the services they provide in my area is there any legal recourse I could take


Asked on 8/01/03, 11:46 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Robert R. Groezinger GroezingerLaw P.C.

Re: Are cable companies required to provide access?

Contact your town ..they are probably the complaint center for the cable franchise as they are in mine. Ask or complain to them. They set the renewal terms with the cable company.

Good Luck

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Answered on 8/02/03, 9:18 am
John Friedman Law Office of John K. Friedman

Re: Are cable companies required to provide access?

The local franchise under which the cable company operates in your town is on file w/ the town. A review of this document will determine what the cable company's obligations are as to your neighborhood.

It is unlikely that the area will be named specifically. Rather, the franchise will require a density be achieved of homes passed within certain time periods. So read it carefully.

If the franchise requires a build-out to meet a density figure you can petition the company - most successfully with the town's assistance - to build out your area.

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Answered on 8/03/03, 10:05 pm


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