September 15, 2008 - 9:53am
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BARNES MEASURE TO IMPROVE SERVICE, RELIABILITY OF CABLE PROVIDERS RELEASED BY ASSEMBLY PANEL

BARNES MEASURE TO IMPROVE SERVICE, RELIABILITY OF CABLE PROVIDERS RELEASED BY ASSEMBLY PANEL

(TRENTON) – Legislation Assemblyman Peter Barnes sponsored to improve the service and reliability of cable providers was released today from the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee.

The measure (A-2526) would require cable providers to give adequate notice to premium subscribers of any change in service and provide timely reimbursement for loss in service.

The notice would need to be in writing and given no less than 30 days before the scheduled change or after the cable company becomes aware that the service is being modified.

“This measure would ensure greater consumer protections by requiring higher standards of reliability and service from cable providers and providing for timely reimbursement for loss in service,” said Barnes (D-Middlesex).

Barnes’ measure also would give the premium subscriber whose service is being modified the option to terminate or downgrade the service no later than 30 days after receiving the notice.

Under the proposal, the cable provider would be required to credit the subscriber for any payments already made for the premium service that's being modified. Any one-time charges paid for installation or upgrading would also need to be credited within six months of the change in service.

The measure was released 6-0 with one abstention. It now heads to the Assembly Speaker who decides if and when to post it for a floor vote.

THESTER can be reached via email at thester@njleg.org.
Related topics: Peter Barnes, cable television

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