66-358. Transmission of PEG channels.

(a) Service. - A cable service provider operating under a State-issued franchise must transmit a PEG channel by one of the following methods:

(1) Interconnection with another cable system operated in its service area. A cable service provider operating in the same service area as a provider under a State-issued franchise must interconnect its cable system on reasonable and competitively neutral terms with the other provider's cable system within 120 days after it receives a written request for interconnection and may not refuse to interconnect on these terms. The terms include compensation for costs incurred in interconnecting. Interconnection may be accomplished by direct cable, microwave link, satellite, or another method of connection.

(2) Transmission of the signal from each PEG channel programmer's origination site, if the origination site is in the provider's service area.

(b) Signal. - All PEG channel programming provided to a cable service provider for transmission must meet the federal National Television System Committee standards or the Advanced Television Systems Committee Standards. If a PEG channel programmer complies with these standards and the cable service provider cannot transmit the programming without altering the transmission signal, then the cable service provider must do one of the following:

(1) Alter the transmission signal to make it compatible with the technology or protocol the cable service provider uses to deliver its cable service.

(2) Provide to the county or city the equipment needed to alter the transmission signal to make it compatible with the technology or protocol the cable service provider uses to deliver its cable service.