Here's why the definition of a 'passing' matters for broadband grants

What counts as a fiber passing, anyway? It seems the answer varies slightly by operator, though most consider a passing to be any location which can be connected to fiber running along the main road. A Consolidated representative said passings are locations that are in “close proximity” to its network. And depending on the length of the fiber drop and other factors, “there could be additional costs [for installation] in exceptional circumstances.” That some homes considered “passed” may have to pay to actually be connected is notable given those locations are not eligible for certain federal grant funding. A US Department of Agriculture (USDA) representative said that under program rules, a passing is considered a location near enough to broadband facilities that service can be provided in a reasonable amount of time if requested. Passings fall into a different category than “connected” locations, which actually have facilities constructed on the premises. The Federal Communications Commission notes that service is only considered “available” at a given location “if the provider has, or previously had, a connection in service to the location, or if the provider could initiate service through a routine installation within 10 business days of a request with no extraordinary monetary charges or delays attributable to the extension of the provider’s network.”