Broadband companies can now force utilities to speed up pole access

The Federal Communications Commission set new deadlines for utilities to approve requests from broadband companies to attach equipment to poles. This means internet providers can install new lines faster, especially in rural areas where existing poles are often the only option.

For years, broadband companies complained that utilities dragged their feet on pole attachment requests, slowing down internet expansion. This rule change gives broadband providers a way to force utilities to act faster. It should accelerate the rollout of high-speed internet, particularly in areas where building new poles is too expensive.