FCC Upholds Order to Trim Cable Rates
In a move that will benefit Century Cable subscribers, the Federal Communications Commission has ruled that the city of Ventura can regulate rates for basic cable service because there is no effective competition in Ventura.
The City Council in April ordered Century to cut its rate from $31.50 to $25.07, saying the cable operator was gouging its 15,000 customers on Ventura’s east side.
Century had filed an appeal of the rate reduction order, arguing that the city has no jurisdiction over such matters because rates are regulated through competition.
“This is a big win for Century Cable subscribers,” said Mayor Jim Friedman on Thursday.
Friedman said the city now will ask the FCC to reconsider a Nov. 20 stay that put on hold the city’s September order for Century to reduce rates further, from $25.07 to $23.27. Friedman said the city also will urge the commission to return the $1.80 per month refunds to the subscribers rather than hold them in escrow as required by the stay.
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