§ 39-19-1. “Community antenna television system” defined. “Community antenna television system” or “CATV” as used in this chapter shall mean and include the ownership or operation of a cable television system that receives video or audio signals, electrical impulses, or currents at a central antenna or electronic control center within this state and from which […]
§ 39-19-10. Installation of cable television, telephone, telecommunications, or information service in multiple dwelling or commercial units. Pursuant to the legislative intent that a tenant in a multiple dwelling unit shall have the freedom and right to select the provider of cable television, telephone, telecommunications, or information service to their living unit, without any restraints, […]
§ 39-19-10.1. Installation of cable television in mobile or manufactured home parks. A tenant in a mobile or manufactured home park may subscribe to CATV service, subject to the following provisions: (1) A CATV operator that affixes, or causes to be affixed, CATV facilities to the dwelling of a tenant shall (i) Do so at […]
§ 39-19-11. Right of cancellation. Subscribers to cable television may terminate service at any time by requesting disconnection and returning all equipment to the CATV company. History of Section.P.L. 1986, ch. 257, § 1.
§ 39-19-12. Billing to subscribers. The cable television section of the division of public utilities and carriers shall conduct a study of the billing and termination practices of cable television companies throughout the New England region. This study shall focus on the practice of advance billing by cable television companies and positive or negative effects […]
§ 39-19-13. Payment for services — Late charges. No subscriber to a cable television service shall be subject to an assessment of a late fee on a monthly billing unless the payment is at least forty-five (45) days past the close of the billing period that is the subject of the statement. A cable television […]
§ 39-19-14. Recovery of expenses from cable television companies. (a) The cable television company making an application or filing to the division, or subject to a division investigation, shall be charged with and shall pay the expenses reasonably so incurred by the division for the purchase of materials, and for the employment of legal counsel, […]
§ 39-19-2. Subjection to regulation. Every company owning or operating a CATV plant in this state is hereby declared to be a communications carrier and, as such, subject to the jurisdiction of and to reasonable rules and regulations as the division may prescribe with reference to the erection and maintenance of distribution facilities and equipment […]
§ 39-19-3. Certificate required. No person or company shall operate a CATV service unless there shall be in force for the same a valid certificate issued by the administrator authorizing the operation. Every application for a certificate shall be filed with the administrator on a form provided by him or her and shall contain verified […]
§ 39-19-4. Persons entitled to certificate. A certificate shall be issued by the administrator to an applicant therefor if the administrator finds that the applicant is of good character and is fit, willing, technically qualified, and financially able properly to perform the service proposed and to conform to the requirements, orders, rules, and regulations of […]
§ 39-19-5. Contents of certificate. Each certificate shall specify the service to be rendered, the routes of aerial and underground feeder and distribution cables, the area of operation, and any plans, contracts, or arrangements for pole line attachments with a public utility or arrangements with a common carrier, and other appropriate feasibility plans. History of […]
§ 39-19-6. Jurisdiction of division. The division shall supervise and regulate every CATV company operating within this state so far as may be necessary to prevent the operation from having detrimental consequences to the public interest, and for this purpose may promulgate and enforce such reasonable rules and regulations as it may deem necessary with […]
§ 39-19-6.1. Public, education and government television studios and equipment. (a) The division shall be empowered to manage and operate public, education, and government (PEG) access television in Rhode Island; provided, however, that an existing cable television certificate holder may, at its sole discretion, and for as long as it desires to do so, elect […]
§ 39-19-7. Placing of poles and cables. (a) Every CATV company that receives a certificate from the administrator shall have the right to erect poles or posts or to construct any conduit or other facility or maintain cables, wires, or fixtures upon, under, or over any state or municipal highway or public place for the […]
§ 39-19-7.1. Removal of poles and cables. (a) Whenever, in order to move a building to be used as affordable housing for low- and moderate-income persons for a period of not less than ten (10) years, a nonprofit housing development corporation desires that the poles, posts, conduits, cables, wires, or fixtures erected by a CATV […]
§ 39-19-8. Revocation or change of certificate. The commission may, after affording the holder an opportunity to be heard, revoke, suspend, or alter any certificate for willful violation of any provision of this chapter, or the rules and regulations or orders promulgated under the authority of this chapter, or for failure to commence operations within […]
§ 39-19-8.1. Administrative civil penalties. The administrator may, in his or her discretion, in lieu of seeking a suspension or revocation of a certificate as conferred under this chapter, impose upon its regulated CATV companies an administrative penalty. Any CATV company that violates any of the provisions of this chapter, or any division order, rule, […]
§ 39-19-9. Administrative expenses — Assessment against franchise holders. (a) The administrator shall determine the expenses of the division of public utilities and carriers associated with the regulation of operational community antenna television systems, including the cost of division personnel and consultants performing duties directly associated with the systems for each upcoming year. The administrator […]
