West Virginia Public Service Commission sides with internet service provider in broadband pole attachment issue

The West Virginia Public Service Commission (PSC) is taking the side of an internet service provider in a dispute over who pays for pole replacements when adding broadband attachments. In an order issued July 28, the PSC prohibited Appalachian Power from enforcing a “pre-existing violation” policy to place the cost of repairs or replacement of utility poles on internet service providers, instead of the electric utility that owns the poles. Appalachian Power has cited its pre-existing violation policy when issues are discovered with the pole or prior attachments to the pole during make-ready, the process of modifying utility poles for new internet service provider equipment. The PSC ordered Appalachian to comply with its rules regarding pre-existing violations when it comes to pole attachment applications submitted by Comcast Cable Communications. The two companies were also ordered to meet and file a future timeline for make-ready completions.