A trade group for internet and telecom network providers pushed the FCC to reform the agency’s pole attachment rules, saying the current cost allocation regime favors utility pole owners. The Commission should acknowledge that and adapt its methodology to more equitably assign costs, says INCOMPAS.
INCOMPAS members discussed their extensive experience deploying middle-mile and last-mile infrastructure, according to an ex parte filing describing recent INCOMPAS member meetings with staff for FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Commissioner Nathan Simington. “Our members’ deployments continue to be stymied by pole owners’ unreasonable pole attachment and replacement practices, including denials and excessive delays for pole access and the imposition of unsubstantiated costs for pole replacements,” notes the trade group.
INCOMPAS supports a cost allocation formula proposed by Crown Castle, which it says, “demonstrates that a pole replacement carries inherent benefits to pole owners in the form of incremental betterment and cost savings while still capturing an owner’s need to recover a portion of the pole to be replaced and a share of the incremental cost if a pole is upgraded.”
The trade group would also like to see the agency address what it says is a lack of clarity and transparency in pole replacement negotiations. It explains most of these disputes for attachers is the lack of transparency concerning safety standards, cost structure and data that utilities keep on their poles. It would like the Commission to make information and documentation details available to attachers, such as the pole’s age, plans for the pole and its work order history.
The FCC has an open proceeding looking into whether pole replacement costs should be shared by the pole owner and attachers, Inside Towers reported. The point is to speed broadband deployment.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
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