Sens Blackburn, Luján Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Fast-Track Telecommunications and Broadband Expansion Across America

Sens Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) introduced the bipartisan Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act, which would streamline the process to deploy telecommunications and broadband equipment in public and railroad rights-of-way. Rights-of-way are the corridors alongside public roads and railroad tracks where utilities can install infrastructure. The Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act would streamline the deployment of telecommunications and broadband equipment in public and railroad rights-of-way by establishing two separate processes:​

• Notification: In public rights-of-way, broadband providers will work with the state or locality to determine the scope of work they are authorised to perform. The broadband provider will then notify the rail carrier and schedule the work to be performed. This bill sets strict timelines for the work to be performed. 
• Application: Broadband providers have to request permission before putting their equipment in railroad carrier-owned rights-of-way. Under this bill, the rail carrier may only deny the request if the application fails to meet specific requirements related to safety, damage, or prohibiting the operations of the rail carrier. Similarly, the bill establishes timelines by which the railroad must respond and schedule the work.