Federal Communications Commission DA 18-409
1
Before the
Federal Communications Commission
Washington, D.C. 20554
In the Matter of
Grande Communications Networks, LLC
Petition for Special Relief for Temple System 
Serving Communities
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
CSR-8916-Z
ORDER
Adopted:  April 23, 2018 Released:  April 23, 2018
By the Deputy Chief, Media Bureau, Policy Division:
1. In this Order, we dismiss the Petition for Special Relief in the above-captioned 
proceeding filed on December 30, 2015 by Grande Communications Networks, LLC (Grande).
1
  The 
Petition sought relief from the analog proof-of-performance testing requirements contained in Sections 
76.601 and 76.605(a)(1)-(11) of the Commission’s rules
2
 with respect to Grande’s all-digital Temple 
System. Subsequently, the Commission adopted digital proof-of-performance rules that apply to the 
Temple System.  Therefore, we dismiss Grande’s petition as moot.
3
 
2. The Commission’s signal quality rules for cable channels provide detailed minimum 
performance standards for signals, including, among others, signal strength, signal to noise ratio, and 
separation standards of the video, color, and sound carrier.
4
 These standards are generally referred to as 
proof-of-performance and are intended to ensure that cable subscribers receive a good quality signal.  
Cable operators are required to test their analog signals at least twice yearly and make available the 
results for inspection by the local franchising authority and the Commission.
5
  When Grande filed the 
Petition, the Commission did not have proof-of-performance rules for digital cable signals.
6
 On 
September 25, 2017, the Commission released the Digital Cable Standards Order, which established 
appropriate standards for digital systems.
7
 We find that because the Digital Cable Standards Order 
1
 Grande Petition for Special Relief (filed Dec. 30, 2015) (Petition).
2
 47 CFR §§ 76.601, 76.605(a)(1)-(11).
3
 Petition at 4-5.
4
 47 CFR § 76.605
5
 Id. § 76.1704 (2016).
6
 The Commission specifically anticipated that compliance with the proof-of-performance standards may not be 
possible for all future developments in cable plant technology and provided for relief in Section 76.605(b) of the 
Commission’s rules.  Id. § 76.605(b) (2016).
7
 Cable Television Technical and Operational Standard; RCN Corporation Petition for Special Relief; City of 
Burlington, VT, D/B/A Burlington Telecom Petition for Relief from Proof of Performance Testing Obligations; 
(continued.…)
Federal Communications Commission DA 18-409
2
adopted a new performance benchmark for digital cable systems, Grande’s request for exemption from 
the analog proof-of-performance rules is now moot. 
3. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED, pursuant to Section 0.283 of the Commission’s Rules, 47 
CFR § 0.283, that the Petition for Special Relief filed by Grande Communications Networks, LLC, IS 
DISMISSED as moot.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Brendan P. Murray
Deputy Chief, Policy Division, Media Bureau
(…continued from previous page)
Massillon Cable TV, Inc. and Clear Picture, Inc. Petition for Special Relief; Bend Cable Communication, LLC 
Petition for Special Relief; RCN Corporation Petition for Special Relief; Jackson Energy Authority Petition for 
Special Relief; Service Electric Cablevision, Inc. Petition for Waiver of Sections 76.601, 76.605(a), and 76.1704 of 
the Commission’s Rules, MB Docket No. 12-217, Report and Order, 32 FCC Rcd 7754, 7757-58 (2017) (Digital 
Cable Standards Order). The Commission concluded that a testing regime for digital service is unnecessary because 
QAM-based cable operator’s adherence to SCTE 40 2016 is sufficient to ensure the delivery of good-quality signals 
without testing.  Id.