The FCC’s Broadband Acceleration Initiative is working to expand the reach of robust, affordable broadband by streamlining access to utility poles and rights of way, and improving policies for wireless facilities siting and other infrastructure. Improving policies for accessing rights of way and obtaining approval for the deployment of wireless facilities necessary for broadband can accelerate and expand broadband deployment.
The FCC’s Feb. 9 Broadband Acceleration Conference convened leaders from federal, state and local governments, broadband providers, telecommunications carriers, tower companies, equipment suppliers and utility companies to discuss ways of improving rights-of-way governance.
The FCC has already taken a number of steps to improve access to broadband infrastructure:
- Adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking examining establishing reasonable timelines and rates for pole attachments
- Sped process of permitting for tower siting by establishing a “shot clock” setting time limits on applications while respecting local authority (Nov. 2010)
- Increased access to wireless spectrum and reduced barriers to using “white spaces” spectrum
The FCC’s National Broadband Plan’s chapter on infrastructure made a number of recommendations on increasing the deployment and reducing the cost of broadband by easing access to infrastructure.
