Copley Township does not have an exclusive contract with Time Warner New York (TWNY). We have a video service provider with TWNY as well as AT&T. Below explains how cable television providers work in Ohio and the links below will show the effective service areas for AT&T (includes Copley) and the regulation information.
On June 25, 2007 when Governor Strickland signed Senate Bill 117, which created a new, state-issued video-authorization process to replace the local cable television franchise process. The law gave the Ohio Department of Commerce jurisdiction over cable television providers who are granted state-issued video authorization, but not over satellite television providers.
Prior to the effective date of the law, a company that intended to provide cable television service had to obtain a local cable franchise from each municipality or township. Under the law signed by Governor Strickland, a company may apply for a state-issued cable authorization, which may consist of multiple communities. The authorization term is 10 years, but cable television providers with state-issued video-service authorizations are required during this period to file an application immediately to amend their authorization to reflect any changes to the information contained in the original application.
Traditionally, there has been only minimal competitive entry by telephone companies into Ohio's video programming market, in part because local franchise requirements may present barriers to entry. It is believed that issuing statewide authorizations will expedite the deployment of a state-of-the-art infrastructure for delivering video and broadband services to Ohioans, some of whom have not had access to high-speed data services. Additionally, the law will bring new competitors to cable and satellite video providers.
The law gives the Department of Commerce authority to investigate any alleged violation of or failure to comply with certain provisions of the law. However, the Department does not have any authority to regulate the rates, terms or conditions of a provider's service - including the networks or television stations that the video-services company decides to carry.
Today, the Ohio Department of Commerce assumes responsibility for awarding cable TV franchises and wire-video franchises such as AT&T U-verse. ODOC also serves as clearinghouse for consumer complaints about the business and service practices of those franchises.
Video Service Authorization Law
Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 1332
For Consumers
Cable Company Contact List
Consumer Service Standards
File a Complaint
AT&T Service Areas
