Sec. 9.
(1) A video service provider shall not deny access to service to any group of potential residential subscribers because of the race or income of the residents in the local area in which the group resides.
(2) It is a defense to an alleged violation of subsection (1) if the provider has met either of the following conditions:
(a) Within 3 years of the date it began providing video service under this act, at least 25% of households with access to the provider's video service are low-income households.
(b) Within 5 years of the date it began providing video service under this act and from that point forward, at least 30% of the households with access to the provider's video service are low-income households.
(3) If a video service provider is using telecommunication facilities to provide video services and has more than 1,000,000 telecommunication access lines in this state, the provider shall provide access to its video service to a number of households equal to at least 25% of the households in the provider's telecommunication service area in the state within 3 years of the date it began providing video service under this act and to a number not less than 50% of these households within 6 years. A video service provider is not required to meet the 50% requirement in this subsection until 2 years after at least 30% of the households with access to the provider's video service subscribe to the service for 6 consecutive months.
(4) Each provider shall file an annual report with the franchising entity and the commission regarding the progress that has been made toward compliance with subsections (2) and (3).
(5) Except for satellite service, a video service provider may satisfy the requirements of this section through the use of alternative technology that offers service, functionality, and content, which is demonstrably similar to that provided through the provider’s video service system and may include a technology that does not require the use of any public right-of-way. The technology utilized to comply with the requirements of this section shall include local public, education, and government channels and messages over the emergency alert system as required under section 4.
(6) A video service provider may apply to the franchising entity, and, in the case of subsection (3), the commission, for a waiver of or for an extension of time to meet the requirements of this section if 1 or more of the following apply:
(a) The inability to obtain access to public and private rights-of-way under reasonable terms and conditions.
(b) Developments or buildings not being subject to competition because of existing exclusive service arrangements.
(c) Developments or buildings being inaccessible using reasonable technical solutions under commercial reasonable terms and conditions.
(d) Natural disasters.
(e) Factors beyond the control of the provider.
(7) The franchising entity or commission may grant the waiver or extension only if the provider has made substantial and continuous effort to meet the requirements of this section. If an extension is granted, the franchising entity or commission shall establish a new compliance deadline. If a waiver is granted, the franchising entity or commission shall specify the requirement or requirements waived.
(8) Notwithstanding any other provision of this act, a video service provider using telephone facilities to provide video service is not obligated to provide such service outside the provider's existing telephone exchange boundaries.
(9) Notwithstanding any other provision of this act, a video service provider shall not be required to comply with, and a franchising entity may not impose or enforce, any mandatory build-out or deployment provisions, schedules, or requirements except as required by this section.
History: 2006, Act 480, Eff. Jan. 1, 2007