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renewal law may provide insight. Here is the renewal process as outlined by the federal Cable <br />Act. <br />(1) Receive a proposal from the cable operator in response to a RFRP (Request <br />for Renewal Proposal). (Completed) <br />(2) The franchising authority (the NSCC) must provide prompt public notice of <br />the proposal. (Completed) <br />(3) <br />The franchising authority must renew the franchise based on the cable <br />operator's proposal or, issue a preliminary assessment that the franchise <br />should not be renewed. (Preliminary recommendation to be made by NSCC <br />on May 8 or May 15, 2014, followed by preliminary recommendations by <br />member cities). <br />(4) If a preliminary assessment that a franchise should not be renewed is made, <br />then the operator may request or the franchising authority may on its own <br />initiative, commence an administrative proceeding. (If necessary) <br />(5) <br />(If necessary) After providing prompt public notice of such proceeding, the <br />franchising authority must consider whether <br />a. the cable operator has substantially complied with the material terms of the <br />existing fanchise and with applicable law [emphasis added]; <br />b. the quality of the operator's service, including signal quality, response to <br />consumer complaints, and billing practices, but without regard to the mix <br />or quality of cable services or other services provided over the system, has <br />been reasonable in light of community needs [emphasis added]; <br />c. the operator has the financial, legal, and technical ability to provide the <br />services, facilities, and equipment as set forth in the operator's proposal; and <br />d. the operator's proposal is reasonable to meet the future cable -related <br />community needs and interests, taking into account the cost of meeting such <br />needs and interests. <br />Argument: Comcast received "glowing reviews" from the NSCC's consultant for <br />service quality. <br />Response: The Buske Group reviewed Comcast's service quality. Service quality was <br />also addressed in the Supplemental Staff Report. The NSCC also had to engage Comcast during <br />the digital transition last year because of serious signal quality issues on the PEG channels. The <br />3 <br />