FCC Aims to Remove Barriers to Broadband Deployment and Investment

The Federal Communications Commission approved updates to its pole attachment rules that will make it easier and faster to deploy broadband networks. The FCC’s pole attachment rules prescribe processes and timelines that attachers and pole owners must follow when telecommunications crews attach communications infrastructure to those poles. Increased funding for broadband projects has led to extensive new deployments in recent years, resulting in a significant increase in attachment applications for large numbers of utility poles. For too long, a lack of standard rules and timelines for processing large broadband deployment orders have slowed rollouts and led to costly disputes. By encouraging communications companies and pole owners to collaborate on larger broadband deployments and by providing more concrete timelines, this action will remove barriers to deployment, encourage investment, and help achieve high-speed broadband availability for all Americans, consistent with the spirit and intent of Section 224.