Cable Complaints Too Vague to Be of Any Value, NATOA Says

Small and midsize cable operators' push for adopting local franchise authority rules proposed in an FCC Further NPRM (see 1902040061) has questionable probative value since it doesn't provide specific complaints or name any alleged offending community, NATOA said in a docket 05-311 posting Friday. That precludes communities giving their perspectives and shows the absence of a market issue, the association said. NATOA said nonfinancial obligations in locally negotiated franchises aren't subject to offsets against franchise fees, and the Cable Act doesn't support the FCC's proposed mixed-use rule.