Disputes threaten West Virginia’s $1 billion broadband push. Behind closed doors, internet and utility companies consider fixes.

Internet providers, utility companies and West Virginia broadband officials are trying to speed up settling pole attachment disputes that threaten the state’s $1.2 billion broadband expansion, according to two proposals from a closed-door task force obtained by Mountain State Spotlight. The first would speed up resolving disputes and the second would require utilities to report more information about the status of their poles. As internet service providers apply to attach fiber or other equipment to poles owned by power companies, they’ve been charged unexpected fees and the costs associated with replacing old utility poles. These fees have strained budgets as companies fight over who bears the cost share, slowing down the state’s broadband expansion efforts.