Chairman Pai Response Regarding Barriers to Broadband Deployment

A variety of lawmakers wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai to encourage the FCC to move quickly to clarify rules governing pole attachment regulations in order to remove barriers to broadband deployment: [Sept 2] Reps Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH) and Darin LaHood (R-IL),  [Sept 30] Rep Anna Eshoo (D-CA), [Oct 15] Rep Doris Matsui (D-CA), [Oct 19] Rep GK Butterfield (D-NC), [Oct 28] Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Environment Committee Chairman John Barrasso (R-WY).

On Jan 7, Chairman Pai responded by saying he worked to adopt a "one-touch make-ready" pole attachment regime in 2018, "which will promote broadband deployment and competition by speeding up the process and reducing the costs of attaching new network facilities to utility poles." He added, "In a related matter, NCTA-The Internet & Television Association filed a Petition for Declaratory Ruling that asks the Commission to declare that pole owners must share in the costs of pole replacements in unserved areas and give pole attachment disputes in unserved areas priority treatment, among other things. The Wireline Competition Bureau sought comment on the petition and the comment period ended on September 17. Bureau staff is currently reviewing the record. Please be assured that we will take into consideration the issues and concerns presented by all stakeholders as the Commission deliberates on the appropriate course of action."