Minor Compliance, Reporting Adjustments Recommended to Support Viability of Small Businesses
PITTSBURGH, May 30, 2008 – The American Cable Association (ACA) today asked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to reduce small cable operators’ reporting and regulatory burdens related to filing of annual regulatory fees. Filing comments today, ACA urged the FCC to employ cost-efficient, time-saving measures to reduce compliance obligations on operators serving fewer than 5,000 subscribers.
“The Commission has consistently supported the long-term viability of small cable companies and promoted the essential services they provide to the communities they serve,” said ACA President and Chief Executive Officer Matthew M. Polka. “ACA’s members are 100 percent committed to complying with federal regulations, and with support of the FCC our members can significantly reduce the cost of compliance in hours and dollars and cents spent.”
Specifically, the filing (available here), urged the Commission to send fee assessment letters via surface mail to the smallest cable operators (fewer than 5,000 subscribers), continue to email notification of regulatory fees, and to base regulatory fees on cable operators’ aggregate year-end subscriber counts.
# # #
About the American Cable Association
Based in Pittsburgh, the American Cable Association is a trade organization representing 1,100 smaller and medium-sized, independent cable companies who provide broadband services for more than 7 million cable subscribers primarily located in rural and smaller suburban markets across America. Through active participation in the regulatory and legislative process in Washington, D.C., ACA’s members work together to advance the interests of their customers and ensure the future competitiveness and viability of their business. For more information, visit www.americancable.org.