(A) Termination of cable service by subscriber. A subscriber may terminate cable service at any time.
(B) Cable operator duties.
(1) A cable operator shall promptly disconnect or downgrade any subscriber and may not require a notice period before the disconnect or downgrade of service by a subscriber.
(2) If the subscriber returns or permits the cable operator to retrieve any equipment necessary to receive a service within five business days of the disconnection, the cable operator may not impose a charge for any cable service delivered after the date of the disconnect request.
(C) Return of equipment.
(1) A subscriber may be asked, but not required, to disconnect a cable operator’s equipment and return it to the business office.
(2) If a cable operator fails to remove its property from a subscriber’s premises within 60 days of the termination of cable service, the property shall be deemed abandoned unless the subscriber is responsible for the cable operator’s failure to remove the property.
(D) Return of security deposit or other funds.
(1) Any security deposit or other funds due the subscriber shall be refunded on disconnected accounts after any customer premises equipment provided by the cable operator has been recovered by the cable operator.
(2) The refund shall be made within the earlier of 30 days or by the end of the next available billing cycle measured from the date disconnection was requested. If any customer premises equipment provided by the cable operator has not been returned by the later of these two dates, the refund shall be made on the date on which such equipment is returned.
(E) Disconnection of cable service by operator.
(1) If a subscriber fails to pay a monthly subscriber fee or other fee or charge, a cable operator may disconnect the subscriber’s cable service. However, the disconnection may not occur until after 35 days from the beginning of the period for which the cable service being billed is rendered, plus at least ten days advance written notice to the subscriber of the intent to disconnect, given after the 35 days have elapsed. However, if the subscriber pays all amounts due, including any late charges, before the date scheduled for disconnection, the cable operator may not disconnect cable service.
(2) A cable operator may immediately disconnect a subscriber if the subscriber is damaging or destroying the cable operator’s cable system or equipment. After disconnection, the cable operator shall restore cable service if the subscriber provides adequate assurance that the subscriber has ceased the practices that led to disconnection and paid all proper fees and charges, including any reconnect fees and amounts owed the cable operator for damage to its cable system or equipment.
(3) A cable operator may disconnect a subscriber who causes signal leakage in excess of federal limits. Disconnection may be effected either:
(a) After five days written notice to the subscriber, if the subscriber fails to take steps to correct the problem; or
(b) Without notice if signal leakage is detected originating from the subscriber’s premises in excess of federal limits, provided that the cable operator shall immediately notify the subscriber of the problem and, once the problem is corrected, reconnect the subscriber.
(F) Reconnection of cable service.
(1) A cable operator shall reconnect cable service to a subscriber who wishes to have the subscriber’s cable service restored if the subscriber first satisfies any previously owed obligations.
(2) The cable operator shall complete such reconnection within 48 hours.
(2004 Code, § 93-17) (Ord. 41, passed 4-28-1983; Ord. 08-10, passed 12-18-2008)