Under the South Carolina Competitive Cable Services Act (S.C. Code of Laws §58-12-300), the Secretary of State serves as the cable franchising authority.
To apply for a certificate of franchise authority, an applicant must:
- Submit two copies of the Application for a State-Issued Certificate of Franchise Authority (PDF).
- Submit two copies of the Affidavit in Support of a State-Issued Certificate of Franchise Authority (affidavit is included the application), signed by an officer or general partner and notarized.
- Include the application fee of $110.
When a cable provider is applying for a state-issued certificate of franchise authority before the expiration of a local government issued franchise, the provider should also use the Cover Letter for an Application for a State-Issued Certificate of Franchise Authority (PDF). The cover letter should be attached to the Application for a State-Issued Certificate of Franchise Authority or an Amended Application for a State-Issued Certificate of Franchise Authority. The application with cover letter cannot be submitted more than 80 days before the expiration of the local government-issued certificate of franchise authority.
The following forms may be filed when changes are made to a certificate of franchise authority:
- An Application to Amend a State-Issued Certificate of Franchise Authority (PDF) is filed by the cable provider to amend an application for state-issued cable franchise authority that was previously submitted to the Secretary of State's Office.
- A Notice of Change of Franchise Fee Rate (PDF) is filed by the county or municipality when changing the franchise fee rate.
- A Notice of Change of PEG Access Channels (PDF) is filed by the county or municipality when changing the number of PEG Access Channels.
- A Notice of Termination of State Issued Certificate or Amended State-Issued Certificate of Franchise Authority (PDF) is filed by the cable provider when it wishes to terminate its state-issued certificate of franchise authority.
- A Notice of Transfer of State-Issued Certificate of Franchise Authority (PDF) is filed when one cable provider wishes to transfer its certificate of franchise authority to another cable provider.
- A Statement of Termination of Existing Franchise Previously Issued by Municipality or County (PDF) is filed by the cable provider when it wishes to terminate the cable franchises that were previously issued by a municipality or county.
SC Secretary of State's Office
Attn: Cable Franchises
1205 Pendleton Street, Suite 525
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 734-0367
Consumer Complaints Against Cable Providers
Pursuant to S.C. Code of Laws §58-12-360, the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs receives all complaints from customers against cable providers. All customer complaints should be directed to:
The Department of Consumer Affairs
293 Greystone Blvd., Ste. 400
Post Office Box 5757
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 734-4200