The franchising authority may regulate rates for the provision of basic
cable and equipment as expressly permitted by applicable law.
The grantee's right, title or interest in the franchise shall not be
sold, transferred, assigned or otherwise encumbered, other than to an entity
controlling, controlled by or under common control with the grantee, without
the prior consent of the franchising authority, such consent not to be unreasonably
withheld. No such consent shall be required, however, for a transfer in trust,
by mortgage, by other hypothecation, or by assignment of any rights, title
or interest of the grantee in the franchise or cable system in order to secure
indebtedness. Within 30 days of receiving the request for transfer, the franchising
authority shall, in accordance with FCC rules and regulations, notify the
grantee in writing of the information it requires to determine the legal,
financial and technical qualifications of the transferee. If the franchising
authority has not taken action on the grantee's request for transfer within
120 days after receiving such request, consent by the franchising authority
shall be deemed given.