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Gov.
Blagojevich signs law to increase competition in cable TV industry
so consumers have more choices and better service
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Consumers
will enjoy added protections under new law
[July 06, 2007] SPRINGFIELD
-- Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich signed legislation June 30 that will
encourage cable TV competition by allowing new video service
providers to enter the Illinois market without having to negotiate
separate franchise agreements with each municipality.
Senate Bill 678, sponsored by state Sen. James Clayborne,
D-Belleville, and state Rep. James Brosnahan, D-Oak Lawn, includes
more consumer protections than in any other state that has enacted
similar legislation, including California, Indiana, Michigan, Iowa,
Missouri, Ohio and Texas.
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"When there's competition in the marketplace, prices go down and
consumers have more options. Under this new law, consumers in
Illinois will now have more providers to choose from for cable TV
service, and cable companies will be required to provide more
reliable and on-time service," Blagojevich said. "I would like to
thank Senator Clayborne and Representative Brosnahan for their hard
work in passing legislation that puts Illinois first in the nation
in protecting cable TV customers." "This bill provides the
strongest consumer quality standards in the nation," Clayborne said.
"Residents of Illinois will be given more options, which will give
them quality service at a lower cost. In addition, it will enhance
the quality of life and entertainment in Illinois, while providing
more jobs and boosting the economy of the state."
In addition to ushering in new competition and providing more
provider options for consumers, the bill introduces a number of
consumer protections. According to the legislation, cable companies
must set service quality standards for installation, repair,
appointments, telephone response, billing and collection,
disconnection, dispute resolution, and services for people with
disabilities. Companies must inform customers of these standards on
an annual basis.
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 "Cable customers have a right to reliable service," said
Brosnahan. "SB 678 will bring about more competitive prices, better
services and more options for cable customers. The service quality
standards and the consumer protection provisions are the strongest
in the country, and the citizens of Illinois will benefit greatly.'
The bill requires that companies give customers at least 30 days
written notice of rate hikes or program eliminations. Customers must
also have at least 28 days from a bill's date before the payment is
due. Shut-offs are prohibited until 21 days after a notice of
termination, and no termination fees are allowed. Customer requests
for service termination must be implemented within a week's time.
New customers will have 60 days during which they can cancel service
without incurring penalties, early termination fees or installation
charges. Contract terms can last no longer than one year.
In order to ensure prompt customer services, companies must
maintain a toll-free customer line and answer 90 percent of calls
within 30 seconds. Cable service must be installed within seven
days, and outages must be repaired within 48 hours. Customers who
receive poor service will be eligible for credits.
Senate Bill 678 goes into effect immediately, and the service
quality standards for existing cable companies begin on Jan. 1,
2008.
[Text from file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information] |
