The Title II Services to Be Provided Over Verizon's FTTP Network...

The Title II Services to Be Provided Over Verizon's FTTP Network...
This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. If you need to flag this entry as abusive, send us an email.

Verizon claims Title II is bad and will harm investment and innovation. And yet, here is a current Verizon FiOS cable franchise agreement based exclusively on Title II.

October 30, 2013

Re: Application of Verizon New York Inc. for a Cable Television Franchise

Pursuant to the requirements of 16 N.Y.C.R.R. Section 894.5, please find enclosed the application of Verizon New York Inc. to the City of Glen Cove for a cable television franchise. Also enclosed is the proposed Cable Franchise Agreement by and between the City of Glen Cove and Verizon New York Inc

exhibit 1.7

LEGAL AUTHORITY TO CONSTRUCT FIBER TO THE PREMISES

Verizon New York Inc. ("Verizon"), as a common carrier under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934 (the "Act"), constructed its Fiber To The Premises (FTTP) network as an upgrade to its existing telecommunications network. Verizon has the requisite authority to upgrade its network for enhanced voice and broadband services for the reasons discussed, in part, below.

Verizon has the necessary Federal, state and local authorizations to upgrade its Title II telecommunications network, subject to customary time, place and manner permitting requirements. Specifically, Section 27 of the New York Transportation Corporations Law ("New York Telecom Law") grants Verizon the right to place its facilities upon, over or under any public streets within the State of New York. See New York Tel. Co. v. Town of North Hempstead, 41 N.Y.2d 691, 363 N.E.2d 694 (1977); New York Tel. Co. v. Village of Amsterdam, 613 N.Y.S.2d 993, 994 (App. Div. 1994) (stating that Section 27 grants "an unconditional privilege to install, maintain and repair" telephone facilities in public streets).

The Title II services to be provided over Verizon's FTTP network are not subject to Title VI of the Act or Article 11 of the New York State Public Service Law ("New York Cable Law"), which regulate cable television service. Verizon plans to utilize FTTP to offer its customers enhanced voice and broadband data services. While FTTP may give Verizon the future capability of providing video service, the network is not subject to Title VI of the Act or the New York Cable Law (including any construction requirements that may be set forth therein) unless and until the network constitutes a "cable system" as defined in Section 602(7) of the Act or a "cable television system" as defined in Section 212(2) of the New York Cable Law. This is triggered only when cable services, such as video programming, are provided to multiple subscribers within a community. As stated in Section 602(7) the Act, "the term 'cable system' ... does not include ... (C) a facility of a common carrier which is subject, in whole or in part, to the provisions of title II of this Act, except ... to the extent that such facility is used in the transmission of video programming directly to subscribers...." (emphasis added) 47 U.S.C. § 522(7)(C). SeeNat'l Cable Television Ass'n v. FCC, 33 F.3d 66 (D.C. Cir. 1994) (concluding that the FCC "reasonably interpreted the Act to require that an entity obtain a cable franchise only when that entity selects or provides the video programming to be offered.") Moreover, Section 621(b)(3) of the Act (47 U.S.C. § 541(b)(3)) further specifically prohibits franchising authorities from requiring cable franchises for the provision of telecommunications service or in any way restricting or impeding the provision of such service.

Verizon had the requisite authority as a common carrier under Title II of the Act and Section 27 of the NY Telecom Law to construct its FTTP network and did require supplemental authority to construct the network. However, as provided in Title VI of the Act and the New York Cable Law, a cable franchise would be required prior to Verizon using the FTTP network to provide video programming to multiple subscribers in a local franchise area.Furthermore, on June 15, 2005, the New York Public Service Commission ruled that Verizon did not need to obtain a cable franchise before constructing its FTTP network. The Commission found that unlike cable companies, Verizon already has the necessary authority under state law to use the public rights-of-way. Thus, the Commission concluded that Verizon has the right to upgrade its telecommunications network to make it capable of providing cable service. See Declaratory Ruling on Verizon Communication, Inc.'s Built-Out of its Fiber to the Premises Network, NY Public Service Commission, Case 05-M-0520/05-M-0247, June 15, 2005.

And as we pointed out -- Verizon appears to be doing this in every state in every franchise.

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot