Sen Capito Stresses Need for Reforms to Rules Hindering Broadband Deployment

Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) wrote a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Jessica Rosenworcel regarding the issue of pole attachments. Specifically, Sen Capito stressed that the high costs and long waits imposed by pole owners when poles need to be replaced are hindering the progress of broadband deployment. "There are many reasons for the stubborn lack of broadband access in rural communities, but with recent congressional action, funding is no longer one of them," said Capito. "I strongly supported the broadband funding in the various pandemic relief bills and the recent bipartisan infrastructure bill that allocated $65 billion specifically for broadband expansion. Yet while Congress and the Commission move to connect every West Virginian to an online future, outdated regulations still stand in the way." Capito continued, "Reforms are needed to ensure better, fairer rules, speed up deployment, and more equitably distribute costs between broadband providers and pole owners when poles need to be replaced. The high costs and long waits imposed by pole owners on broadband providers slow down broadband expansion in rural America. Enacting commonsense reforms that promote fair and timely access to poles will ensure broadband access expands into our country's rural and hard-to-reach areas."