State Video Franchise Authority

Video Franchise Applications 2008
Company Name	Date of Application	Date of Issuance	Status	Certificate	Application
BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc d/b/a AT&T Georgia	January 2, 2008	February 14, 2008	Approved	Certificate of Authority	Application
BellSouth Entertainment, LLC	January 2, 2008	February 14, 2008	Approved	Certificate of Authority	Application
Southeast Cable TV, inc.	January 22, 2008		Pending
HC Cable Opco, LLC	January 23, 2008	March 5, 2008	Approved	Certificate of Authority	Application
Northland Cable Properties Seven Limited Partnership ("Northland")	February 13, 2008	March 28, 2008	Approved	Certificate of Authority	Application

Effective January 1, 2008, any entity or person seeking to provide cable service or video service in this state, at the discretion of the cable service provider or video service provider, may elect from among the franchise options set forth in O.C.G.A. 36-76-3 (a)(1).

The franchise options are as follows:

1. A cable service provider or video service provider may elect to negotiate a local cable service or video service franchise agreement with a municipal or county franchise authority duly authorized under the laws of Georgia and may enter into a negotiated cable television franchise agreement in accordance with Title VI of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. Section 521 et seq., or a video service franchise agreement in accordance with applicable state and federal law that establishes the terms and conditions for the franchise agreement within the jurisdictional limits of that municipality or county.A local cable service or video service franchise agreement entered into after January 1, 2008, shall remain in force and effect through its expiration date notwithstanding subsection (g) of Code Section 36-76-4.

2. A cable service provider or video service provider may elect to adopt the terms of a negotiated franchise agreement entered into between a cable service provider or video service provider and a municipal or county franchise authority in the service area in which the cable service provider or video service provider desires to provide service. The municipal or county franchise authority shall be required to enter into any such negotiated franchise agreement upon the same terms and conditions to any requesting cable service provider or video service provider. A local cable service or video service franchise agreement that is adopted by a cable service provider or video service provider after January 1, 2008, shall remain in force and effect through its expiration date notwithstanding subsection (g) of Code Section 36-76-4.

3. A cable service provider or video service provider may elect after January 1, 2008, to file an application for a state franchise in one or more specified service areas with the Secretary of State in accordance with the procedures set forth in O.C.G.A. 36-76-3 (a)(1).

4. A cable service provider or video service provider may elect after January 1, 2008, to negotiate with a municipal or county franchise authority to enter into a franchise agreement within a specified service area and may also obtain a state franchise for a different service area. A cable service provider or video service provider shall not operate under a franchise agreement with a municipal or county governing authority and a state franchise from the Secretary of State for the same service area.

Pursuant to O.C.G.A 36-76-4, effective January 1, 2008, a cable service provider or video service provider may file for a state-wide franchise authority. To receive a state franchise, a cable service provider or video service provider shall file an application for a state franchise with the Secretary of State, with a copy of such application provided simultaneously to each affected municipal or county governing authority at least 45 days prior to offering cable service or video service to subscribers within a specified service area.

This web page is dedicated to providing the information on the procedures and policies for applying the State Video Franchise Authority.

Any inquiries regarding this process can be directed to corpmail@sos.georgia.gov or by calling our Corporations Call Center at 404-656-2817.

	Filing Procedures and Process for Requesting a Franchise Authority
	Application for State-Issued Franchise Authority
	Transmittal Form that Accompanies Application for State-Issued Franchise Authority
	Application to Amend, Transfer or Terminate a Franchise Authority
	Georgia Certificate of Franchise Authority

Link to Georgia House Bill 227 which Adresses the State Video Franchise Authority