Subject to the terms and conditions of this
agreement and applicable laws and regulations, LFA hereby grants franchisee
the right to own, construct, operate and maintain a cable system to
provide cable services along the public rights-of-way within the Township.
No privilege or power of eminent domain is bestowed or waived by this
grant or by this agreement; nor is such a privilege or power bestowed
or waived by this agreement.
The parties recognize that franchisee's FTTP
network is being constructed and will be operated and maintained as
an upgrade to and/or extension of its existing telecommunications
facilities for the provision of noncable services. The jurisdiction
of LFA over such telecommunications facilities is also governed by
federal and state law, and LFA does not and will not assert jurisdiction
over franchisee's FTTP network in contravention of those laws. Therefore,
as provided in Section 621 of the Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. § 541,
LFA's regulatory authority under Title VI of the Communications Act
is not applicable to the construction, installation, maintenance,
or operation of franchisee's FTTP network to the extent the FTTP network
is constructed, installed, maintained, or operated for the purpose
of upgrading and/or extending Verizon's existing telecommunications
facilities for the provision of noncable services. This agreement
shall not be construed to limit whatever existing regulatory authority
LFA may have under federal, state and local law with respect to the
FTTP network facilities.
This Franchise shall become effective on September
19, 2006 (the "effective date"). The term of this franchise shall
be 12 years from the effective date unless the franchise is earlier
revoked as provided herein.
The franchise and the rights granted herein
to use and occupy the public rights-of-way to provide cable services
shall not be exclusive, and LFA reserves the right to grant other
franchises for similar uses or for other uses of the public rights-of-way,
or any portions thereof, to any person, or to make any such use themselves,
at any time during the term of this franchise. Any such rights that
are granted shall not adversely impact the authority as granted under
this franchise and shall not interfere with existing facilities of
franchisee's cable system or franchisee's FTTP network.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary
herein, this agreement is subject to and shall be governed by all
applicable provisions of federal law and state law to the extent not
in conflict with federal law.
Nothing in this agreement shall be construed
to prohibit the reasonable, necessary, and lawful exercise of the
police powers of LFA.