As directed by Congress in Section 207 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the Federal Communications Commission adopted the Over-the-Air Reception Devices ("OTARD") rule concerning governmental and nongovernmental restrictions on viewers' ability to receive video programming signals from direct broadcast satellites ("DBS"), broadband radio service providers (formerly multichannel multipoint distribution service or MMDS), and television broadcast stations ("TVBS").
The rule (47 C.F.R. Section 1.4000) has been in effect since October 1996, and it prohibits restrictions that impair the installation, maintenance or use of antennas used to receive video programming. The rule applies to video antennas including direct-to-home satellite dishes that are less than one meter (39.37") in diameter (or of any size in Alaska), TV antennas, and wireless cable antennas. The rule prohibits most restrictions that: (1) unreasonably delay or prevent installation, maintenance or use; (2) unreasonably increase the cost of installation, maintenance or use; or (3) preclude reception of an acceptable quality signal.
Effective January 22, 1999, the Commission amended the rule so that it also applies to rental property where the renter has an exclusive use area, such as a balcony or patio.
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http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html
As directed by Congress in Section 207 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the
Federal Communications Commission adopted the Over-the-Air Reception Devices ("OTARD")
rule concerning governmental and nongovernmental restrictions on viewers' ability to
receive video programming signals from direct broadcast satellites ("DBS"), broadband
radio service providers (formerly multichannel multipoint distribution service or MMDS),
and television broadcast stations ("TVBS").
The rule (47 C.F.R. Section 1.4000) has been in effect since October 1996, and it
prohibits restrictions that impair the installation, maintenance or use of antennas
used to receive video programming. The rule applies to video antennas including
direct-to-home satellite dishes that are less than one meter (39.37") in diameter
(or of any size in Alaska), TV antennas, and wireless cable antennas. The rule
prohibits most restrictions that: (1) unreasonably delay or prevent installation,
maintenance or use; (2) unreasonably increase the cost of installation, maintenance
or use; or (3) preclude reception of an acceptable quality signal.
Effective January 22, 1999, the Commission amended the rule so that it also applies
to rental property where the renter has an exclusive use area, such as a balcony or
patio.