MPSC - Video Services Competition Status

Status of Competition for Video Services in Michigan

Annual Franchise Entities Survey

This survey is for all franchise entities in Michigan pursuant to section 12(2) of the Uniform Video Services Local Franchise Act, Public Act 480 of 2006. The results of this survey will provide the Michigan Public Service Commission updated information regarding the status of video competition in the state of Michigan for the annual report as mandated by the Act. Your participation in this survey is very important to provide a more accurate analysis of the state of video competition in Michigan.

Please do not provide any information that may be deemed confidential and submit your response to this survey by November 30, 2009. Submit only 1 survey response per franchise entity.

Should you have any questions regarding this information request, please e-mail Ryan McAnany at mcananyr@michigan.gov.

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Contact Information (Required Fields *)
Franchise Entity*
Address*
Address 2
City/Township/Village*
County*
State*
Zip*
Contact Person*
Direct Phone*
Direct Email*

1.	Prior to 2006 PA 480 taking effect on January 1, 2007, how many video/cable (not satellite) providers were offering service in your area? (Check only one) 0 1 2 3 4
2.	Since January 1, 2009, how many new video/cable (not satellite) providers have filed for a Uniform Video Services Local Franchise Agreement in your area? (Check only one) 0 1 2 3 4
3.	How many total video/cable providers have franchise agreements to service your community in 2009? (Check only one) 0 1 2 3 4
4.	How many total video/cable providers are currently providing (in 2009) video/cable service to your community and who are they? (Select as many that apply) Comcast Charter Communications AT&T U-verse Other (Please write in box below)
5.	How many satellite providers are you aware that are currently offering video/cable service in your community and who are they?(Select as many that apply) Dish Network Direct TV Other (Please write in box below)
6.	Are you aware of Public Act 4 of 2009 - the video disput resolution process? (Check one) Yes No
7.	Is your franchise entity still receiving video/cable complaints from customers? (Check one) Yes No

*If you checked NO, skip to question 12.*
8.	How many video/cable complaints did your community receive in 2009?
9.	Does your community attempt to resolve those complaints? (Check one) Yes No
10.	How many of the above video/cable complaints did you forward to the Michigan Public Service Commission?
11.	What were some of the most frequent video/cable complaints received? (Check all that apply) Rates Customer Service Billing Issues Service/Equipment Problems and Outages Other (Check box on left and fill in box below)

12.	Are you aware that the Michigan Public Service Commission can assist customers, franchise entities and providers who have video/cable questions and/or problems? (Check only one) Yes No If you checked yes. how did you become aware? (Check all that apply) Michigan Public Service Commission Association/Organization Public Act 480 News Cable/IPTV Provider Other (briefly explain below)
13.	During 2009, have there been any informal or formal disputes regarding your Uniform Video Service Local Franchise Agreements? (Check only one) Yes No If you checked yes. What was the dispute regarding? (Check all that apply) Franchise Fee Agreement Language PEG Fee Filing Dates Other (briefly explain below)
14.	Did your franchise entity contact the Michigan Public Service Commission regarding the dispute? (Check only one) Yes No
15.	Since PA 480 has become effective, what has been the impact (if any) on your community?(Select Increase/Decrease or None for each item below) Video/Cable Competition? Franchise Fee payments? PEG Fee payments/support? Video/Cable Complaints? Other?
16.	Has the quality of service and/or service offerings of the providers changed in your community since PA 480 became effective? (Select Increase/Decrease or None for each figure below) Customer Service Quality PEG Studios and Equipment Services Offered by Provider Number of Customer Service Centers Other?
17.	Do you have any recommendations / suggestions for changing PA 480 in order to improve the efficiency of implementation? (briefly explain)
Please review the form before clicking submit. All fields are required. Please press submit only once. By submitting, you are certifying that the foregoing responses are true and correct to the best of your knowledge, information, and belief.