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

In the Matter of                        )
                              )    CUID  No. PA1656 (Darby Borough)
Suburban Cable TV Company, Inc.         )              
                              )              
Complaint Regarding                )              
Cable Programming Services Tier Rates        )


                                      ORDER

     Adopted:  February 10, 2000                      Released:  February 11, 2000    

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

     1.   In this Order we consider a complaint against the October 1, 1995 rate increase of the above-
referenced operator ("Operator") for its cable programming services tier ("CPST") in the community
referenced above.  This Order addresses only the reasonableness of Operator's October 1, 1995 CPST rate
increase.   

     2. Under the Communications Act, the Federal Communications Commission ("Commission") is
authorized to review the CPST rates of cable systems not subject to effective competition to ensure that rates
charged are not unreasonable.  The Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992
("1992 Cable Act") required the Commission to review CPST rates upon the filing of a valid complaint by a
subscriber or local franchising authority ("LFA").  The filing of a complete and timely complaint triggers an
obligation upon the cable operator to file a justification of its CPST rates.  The Operator has the burden of
demonstrating that the CPST rates complained about are reasonable.  If the Commission finds a rate to be
unreasonable, it shall determine the correct rate and any refund liability. 

     3. Operators must use the FCC Form 1200 series to justify rates for the period beginning May 15,
1994.  Cable operators may file a FCC Form 1210 to justify quarterly rate increases based on the addition and
deletion of channels, changes in certain external costs and inflation.  Operators may justify 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.

     4.   Upon review of Operator's FCC Form 1200, we find Operator's calculated maximum
permitted rate ("MPR") of $10.95 to be reasonable.  Upon review of Operator's FCC Form 1210 for the period
April 1, 1994 through December 31, 1994, we find Operator's calculated MPR of $11.86 to be reasonable. 
Upon review of Operator's FCC Form 1210 for the period January 1, 1995 through June 30, 1995, we find
Operator's calculated MPR of $12.74 to be reasonable.  Because Operator's actual CPST rate of $13.01,
effective October 1, 1995, exceeds its MPR, we find Operator's actual CPST rate of $13.01, effective October
1, 1995 through March 31, 1996, to be unreasonable.

5.   Upon review of Operator's FCC Form 1240 for the projected period April 1, 1996 through
March 31, 1997 ("1996 1240"), we find Operator's actual CPST rate of $14.05, effective April 1, 1996
through March 31, 1997, to be reasonable. Upon review of Operator's FCC Form 1240 for the projected period
April 1, 1997 through March 31, 1998 ("1997 1240"), we find Operator's actual CPST rate of $16.05, effective
April 1, 1997 through March 31, 1998 to be reasonable.

     6.   Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED, pursuant to Section 0.321 of the Commission's rules, 47
C.F.R.  0.321, that the CPST rate of $13.01, charged by Operator in the community referenced above,
effective October 1, 1995 through March 31, 1996, IS UNREASONABLE.

     7.   IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, pursuant to Section 0.321 of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R.
 0.321, that the CPST rate of $14.05, charged by Operator in the community referenced above, effective April
1, 1996, IS REASONABLE.

     8.   IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, pursuant to Section 0.321 of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R.
 0.321, that the complaint referenced above IS GRANTED TO THE EXTENT INDICATED HEREIN.

                         FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 


                         
                         Kathleen F. Costello, Acting Chief
                         Financial Analysis and Compliance Division
                         Cable Services Bureau