Taxpayers Protection Alliance Lauds FCC’s Pole Attachment Rulemaking Decision

For immediate release:                                                                         Contact: Abigail Graham  (202-535-7492)

March 16, 2022                                                                                    

Washington, D.C. – The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) is pleased that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is developing a plan that will help it evaluate whether action is needed to better allocate costs for pole attachments and replacements among internet providers and pole owners. The FCC will launch a rulemaking process to explore ways to speed resolutions of pole replacement disputes, an issue frequently cited as a hindrance to closing the digital divide.

The FCC hopes to create standards for when and how pole owners and providers share in the cost of pole replacements caused by new attachment requests. TPA agrees with FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel who said that establishing clear guidelines should speed deployment and lower infrastructure costs.

TPA’s Director of Telecom Policy, Johnny Kampis, offered the following comment:

“The Commission has noted it is concerned how pole replacement costs could impact the deployment of broadband networks by depleting the financial resources available to providers. Today’s decision marks a productive and important step by the FCC in aiding the growth of broadband without additional taxpayer costs.

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