Fast-Tracking Broadband Deployment: How Can States Streamline Pole Attachments
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel recently called pole attachments “an essential part of our effort to ensure that high-speed service reaches everyone, everywhere across the country.” While most states follow the FCC’s pole attachment rules, 24 (including DC) have opted to regulate access to utility poles on their own. And amid the largest federal investment in broadband, many of those “certified states” are issuing new or amended rules for pole attachment rates, terms, and conditions in order to balance the needs of communications attachers and pole owners in the communal effort to ensure a competitive, communications landscape.
Featuring expert panelists from state utility commissions across the country and industry representatives of both communications attachers and pole owners, this CLE will examine different state-level approaches to pole attachment regulations as well as current challenges faced in ensuring aerial deployment of communications equipment on utility poles.
3:05-4:00 PM - Pole Attachments and the Telecom Industry
Pole owners and attachers will discuss current issues relevant to industry as it pertains to pole attachments. Topics will include challenges faced by both owners and attachers, benefits and challenges of one-touch make-ready, and the impact of pole attachment policy on broadband deployment.
Moderator:
- Abram Shanedling, Associate, Sheppard Mullin
Speaker:
- Amy Averill, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, Comcast
- Maria T. Browne, Partner, Davis Wright Tremaine
-
Nirali Patel, Senior Vice President, Policy & Advocacy, USTelecom
Click here to register.