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Before the
                     Federal Communications Commission
                          Washington, D.C. 20554

In the Matter of                     )
                                     )
Suburban Cable TV Co, Inc.           )     CUID No.    PA2684 (Upper Makefield
                                     )                 Township)
                                     )
                                     )                    
                                     )
Complaint Regarding                  )
Cable Programming Services Tier Rates)


                                   ORDER

      Adopted:  October 27, 1997                       Released:  October 29, 1997    

By the Chief, Financial Analysis and Compliance Division, Cable Services Bureau:

      1.    In this Order we consider a complaint against the April 1, 1997 rate increase that the
above-captioned operator ("Operator") implemented for its cable programming services tier ("CPST") in
the community set forth above.  Operator has attempted to justify its CPST rate through a benchmark
showing on FCC Form 1240.  Accordingly, this Order addresses the reasonableness of the Operator's
CPST rate of $15.55 effective April 1, 1997.

      2.    The Communications Act authorizes the Federal Communications Commission
("Commission") to review the CPST rates of cable systems not subject to effective competition to ensure
that rates charged are not unreasonable.  If the Commission finds the rate unreasonable, it shall determine
the correct rate and any refund liability.  The Telecommunications Act of 1996 ("1996 Act") and our
rules implementing the new legislation ("Interim Rules"), require that complaints against the CPST rates
be filed with the Commission by a local franchising authority ("LFA") that has received subscriber
complaints.  An LFA may not file a CPST rate complaint unless, within 90 days after such increase
becomes effective, it receives more than one subscriber complaint.

      3.     To justify rates for the period beginning May 15, 1994 through a benchmark showing, 
operators must use the FCC Form 1200 series.  Operators may justify adjustments to their rates on an
annual basis using FCC Form 1240 to reflect reasonably certain and quantifiable changes in external
costs, inflation, and the number of regulated channels that are projected for the twelve months following
the rate change.   Any incurred cost that is not projected may be accrued with interest and added to rates
at a later time.  If actual and projected costs are different during the rate year a "true-up" mechanism
is available to correct estimated costs with actual cost changes.

      4.     On September 12, 1997, the LFA filed a complaint regarding the April 1, 1997 increase
in Operator's CPST rate in the community referenced above.  In its complaint, the LFA asserts that it
has received more than one subscriber complaint against Operator's CPST rate increase in the community
set forth above, thereby triggering the Commission's jurisdiction to review its complaint.  The valid
complaint from the LFA triggers an obligation by the cable operator to file a justification of its CPST
rates with the LFA.  Thus, in this case, Operator is required to justify the increase in its CPST rate
which is the subject of the LFA's complaint.

      5.     Upon review of Operator's FCC Form 1240 for the projected period April 1, 1997 to
March 31, 1998, we find that Operator has correctly calculated its maximum permitted rate and has
justified its CPST rate of $15.55 effective April 1, 1997.

      6.     Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED, pursuant to Section 0.321 of the Commission's rules,
47 C.F.R.  0.321, that Operator's CPST rate of $15.55 effective April 1, 1997 in the community set
forth above, IS NOT UNREASONABLE.

      7.     IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, pursuant to Section 0.321 of the Commission's rules, 47
C.F.R.  0.321, that the complaint referenced herein, IS DENIED.


      FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 



      Elizabeth W. Beaty
      Chief, Financial Analysis and Compliance Division
      Cable Services Bureau