The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently took action to modernize the rules for attaching telecommunications equipment to existing power poles. The July 24 Report and Order introduces key procedural safeguards and timelines to streamline the pole attachment process.

“For too long, a lack of standard rules and timelines for processing large broadband deployment orders have slowed rollouts and led to costly disputes,” the FCC said in a press release. “By encouraging communications companies and pole owners to collaborate on larger broadband deployments and by providing more concrete timelines, [these reforms] will remove barriers to deployment, encourage investment, and help achieve high-speed broadband availability for all Americans.”

“EEI and our member electric companies appreciate the Commission’s commitment to reforming the pole attachment process in a way that removes barriers to broadband deployment while safeguarding the energy grid,” said EEI Executive Director of Legal & Clean Energy Policy Alex Bond. “We look forward to working with the FCC, communications providers, and other stakeholders to implement these reforms and bring broadband to more communities while keeping customer bills as low as possible.”

The new requirements will drive earlier engagement and project notifications, which will encourage collaboration with communications companies on large broadband deployment.

“These reforms are essential to ensuring that broadband deployment proceeds as efficiently as possible without compromising the safety, resilience, or reliability of the grid,” said Bond.