FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel assured three GOP House members representing Ohio the agency is still working on updating its pole attachment rules. She told all three — Troy Balderson, Mike Carey and David Joyce — she agrees with them that, “Gaining access to poles in a quick, predictable, and affordable way can help speed the deployment of broadband infrastructure.”
Over the past two years, Congress has provided funding to help close access gaps, particularly in unserved rural communities, notes Balderson. “As we are starting to see this funding allocated to communities and providers across the country, we need to ensure that funds are used efficiently, and networks are built out in a timely manner. Access to utility poles will be a critical aspect of network buildouts across Ohio and the nation,” he wrote Rosenworcel and the other three FCC Commissioners.
“Often, network buildouts can be delayed, and costs can be increased when there are disputes over access to utility poles, which ultimately prevent access to broadband for too many of my constituents. Changes should ensure more timely access to poles through standardized permitting timelines and prioritized pole attachment disputes, and guarantee more equitable distribution of costs between broadband providers and pole owners,” Balderson states.
The FCC issued a Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking last year that sought comment on questions concerning the allocation of pole replacement costs between utilities and attachers, Inside Towers reported. The Commission sought public input on whether the agency needs to clarify “when a pole must be replaced before additional attachments are possible, and on other economic and legal issues that may arise with pole replacements,” notes Rosenworcel.
The agency also sought public input on whether there are other reforms the FCC can make “to speed up the process for negotiations over pole replacements and attachments,” because certainty is good both for the telecoms seeking to build broadband networks and for utility pole owners, she explains.
Rosenworcel said Commission staff are still reviewing the record in this proceeding and will take into consideration issues and concerns presented by all stakeholders as the agency determines the right course to take.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
Reader Interactions