Number: RL34285
Title: A Legal Analysis of the "70/70" Provision of the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984
Authors: Kathleen Ruane, American Law Division 
Abstract: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) recently issued a report requesting data to aid in determining whether the so-called "70/70" test for cable market penetration has been met. Under Section 612(g) of the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984, when 70% of households in the United States are able to subscribe to cable services of 36 channels or more and 70% of those households actually subscribe to such services, the FCC will be empowered to "promulgate any additional rules necessary to provide a diversity of information sources." A House Report issued when the provision was enacted indicated that 612(g) was intended to provide "a mechanism to assure there is adequate flexibility to develop new rules and procedures with respect to the use of leased access channels as the cable industry develops and serves more citizens in the future." Subsequent amendments to Section 612 granted the FCC greater power to regulate leased access to cable systems. In fact, all of the powers Congress, in the House Report, had suggested would be conferred upon the FCC under 612(g) were granted expressly to the Commission by the subsequent revisions of Section 612. Congress did not, however, repeal Subsection 612(g). The scope of the FCC's authority under 612(g), therefore, remained an open question.
Pages: 8
Date: January 24, 2008