ACA wants FCC to preempt state laws on permitting, rates

ACA Connects, the industry group representing small and midsize cable and broadband providers, is hoping to use a Federal Communications Commission proceeding to secure reforms on permitting and rate regulation, issues the group sees as prohibitive to its members. The FCC in September opened a notice of inquiry on "Eliminating barriers to wireline deployment," seeking industry input on how the Commission can use its authority under section 253 of the Communications Act to preempt state and local laws that "have a prohibitive effect on wireline telecommunications deployments and services." The group's priorities, as summarized by ACA's Brian Hurley, senior vice president of legal and regulatory affairs, include streamlining permitting and public rights of way, broadband price regulation (as in, laws like New York's Affordable Broadband Act) and enforcement.