Brightspeed, Foley reach settlement in federal lawsuit claiming city blocked fiber internet installation

After weeks of negotiations, Brightspeed of Southern Alabama and the City of Foley (AL) have agreed to a settlement in a federal lawsuit filed by the high-speed broadband company. Brightspeed claimed the City and its Utilities Board have created barriers that violated state and federal law. After the company obtained permits to install fiber optic cable to the Utility Board’s existing poles, the City adopted a moratorium on any new, above-ground overhead utilities. Brightspeed asked for a preliminary and permanent injunction against the City of Foley, claiming it financially suffered from the moratorium. Mayor Ralph Hellmich said that per the agreement, the City gave guidance on what lines needed to be underground and which needed to be overhead. He said the city is also working on an ordinance to make those guidelines clear for any company installing services in city limits. Brightspeed will now move forward to provide services to residents.