Enough Talk About Pole Attachments—It’s Time for Action!

Republican or Democrat, one rare issue that can unite every American is the need to provide affordable internet connections to everyone. In today’s digital world, access to broadband internet means access to jobs, education, health care, and social opportunities. The buildout funded by the $42 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program is slow going, but the schedule could be slowed even further by the lack of pole attachment policies. Broadband leaders across the country have long called specific attention to delays and excessive costs regarding pole attachments as a key impediment to efficient broadband deployment. Broadband stakeholders at all levels have a role to play in facilitating the pole attachments process. There’s been enough talk about pole attachment issues—it’s time for action. With billions of dollars on the line to connect unserved communities across the country, we’ll need to break down pole access barriers to truly achieve Internet for All.

[John Windhausen serves as the Executive Director of the the SHLB Coalition]