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![Cable Franchise](https://d1ivb2c2d81ilf.cloudfront.net/budget/Headers/_1900x650_crop_center-center_90_none/Cable-Franchise.jpg)
The City of Virginia Beach does not have the legal authority under federal law to regulate cable television rates and/or programming services. The City does not process cable television bill payments for the cable companies or have any authority over issues related to phone or internet services provided by the cable companies.
If you have any questions or complaints about your Cox or Verizon cable television bill/service or changes to programming services and packages, please call your cable company. The customer service phone numbers are as follows:
- Cox Communications: 757-224-1111
- Verizon: 800-837-4966
The City's cable television franchise agreement with Cox Communications and Verizon grants both companies the non-exclusive right to use the streets and other public rights-of-way in the City to install their cables and operate their cable television systems. In exchange for granting this right, the City is authorized by federal law to charge both Cox and Verizon a franchise fee. Furthermore, Cox and Verizon are authorized by federal law to pass this fee on to their subscribers.
State Corporation Commission (SCC), Division of Public Utility Regulation
- SCC regulates land-line telephone communications utilities and oversees complaints for telephone service.
- SCC has no jurisdiction over wireless/cellular providers. However, as a service to customers, SCC will cooperate with the appropriate company in an attempt to resolve a wireless complaint.
- SCC has no jurisdiction over Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP).
- Contact: 800-552-7945
Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
- Contact the FCC for questions governing cable company rates or for complaints or further information regarding VOIP billing, service, outages or service discontinuance.
- Contact: 888-225-5322