(a) In the event that federal law or regulation is adopted which explicitly authorizes the scrambling of signals of any regulated tier, cable operators choosing to scramble any regulated tier service must offer subscribers the following: An economically viable option of having installed a single “whole-house” descrambling device (the “alternative terminal”) such that:
(1) The single device will descramble all regulated channels simultaneously and serve all cable outlets on the subscriber’s premises, and
(2) The alternative terminal will not interfere with the subscriber’s ability to use his/her own equipment, including cable-ready televisions and associated remote control units, picture-in-a-picture features, and play-and-record VCR’s, and
(3) The cable operator shall educate subscribers regarding the choices available.
(b) Nothing in this code will preclude cable operators meeting the requirements of paragraph 1 above to the extent otherwise permitted by the rules of the FCC, from:
(1) Offering other devices, including devices that do not meet the requirements set forth above, for the marketing of additional premium channels and other interactive cable services but for which the consumer elects such device or devices, and/or
(2) Charging subscribers for the alternative terminal and for services as are reasonably required to install the alternative terminal in accordance with the standards established by the FCC. (Ord. 68-95. Passed 5-15-95.)