GoNetspeed advocates for pole attachment reform in Massachusetts

GoNetspeed, a fiber provider primarily operating in New England, is encouraging Massachusetts to adopt legislation that would simplify the process for deploying new broadband infrastructure. Known as One Touch Make Ready (OTMR), the bill would enable providers to better access utility poles and other infrastructure through a streamlined permitting process. The difference between OTMR and traditional pole attachment methods, according to GoNetspeed Chief Legal Counsel Jamie Hoare, “is really who is driving the process.” “The party applying for access to the poles obviously wants to get on the pole as quickly as possible. And they are able to direct the work of the contractors to accomplish that,” Hoare said. “They have an incentive to get it done quickly [and by] being able to direct the contractors, they really are able to get it done in a much faster, more efficient and in a more cost-effective manner.” Under a traditional pole attachment process, the provider applies to the pole owners, who then conduct a survey “to determine what facilities are already on it” and whether there is room for more facilities, Hoare explained. Afterwards, pole owners give providers a make-ready estimate, which bills the applicant for any work that needs to be done, such as shifting existing utility lines or “replacing poles with taller poles.” All told, “that’s a pretty inefficient process,” said Hoare. OTMR also reduces the number of truck rolls needed for the make-ready work. GoNetspeed executives have testified before the Massachusetts state legislature to discuss the benefits of OTMR, such as how it could help accelerate broadband infrastructure deployment in underserved areas. But in Massachusetts, neither a rulemaking nor a legislative approach has addressed the issue thus far.