Broadband Breakfast Club Exclusive Report
October 2023
The heat that arose over the course of 2022 on the topic of pole attachments shows no signs of abating.
FCC Draft Order Would Set Deadline for Large Pole Attachment Requests
The draft would also set a deadline for utilities to respond to ISP requests to approve new contractors.
Carr Floats Covering Light Poles in Federal Law
Light pole rules remain a sticking point as the FCC Chairman promotes a competitive agenda.
Cable, Utilities at Odds on Contractor Approval for Pole Work
NCTA proposed a 30-day deadline for utilities to greenlight an ISP's contractor.
USTelecom Urges FCC to Reject 'One-Size-Fits-All' Pole Rules
The group warned that prescriptive rules would risk undermining broadband deployment
Pew: States Should Collect Data on Utility Poles
The data could inform policy decisions where the FCC doesn't regulate poles, the group said.
Cable Re-ups Push for Pole Attachment Timelines
The industry wants a firm deadline for utilities to process large pole attachment requests.
West Virginia Utilities Win Concessions in Broadband Pole Dispute
State task force weakens utility reporting requirements, despite calls for more oversight.
Pole Attachment Delays Vexing West Virginia Broadband Projects
The state, which has its own pole attachment regulations, is considering a rapid response team similar to the FCC's.
Data Centers and the Environment
These vast, climate-controlled facilities, housing thousands of servers, support cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and data-driven decision-making.
BEAD Success Hinges on New Fixes to an Old Problem
Now is the time for good-faith, business-to-business negotiations between internet providers and pole owners.
Wireless Industry Continues Push for Access to Light Poles
The FCC protects telecom provider access to utility poles.
Net Neutrality Levels Pole Attachment Playing Field: INCOMPAS, CPUC
INCOMPAS said its members get worse pole deals without FCC support.
No Set Timeline for Large Pole Orders: Utilities
Electric companies told the FCC unnecessarily large requests compound a labor shortage.
Green Energy and the Democrats
Just as crypto has emerged as a tech and infrastructure issue with a heavily Republican tilt, advanced energy may serve a similar role for Democrats.
Enough Talk About Pole Attachments – It’s Time for Action!
The lack of pole attachment policies could hinder or even hold-up even the best laid deployment plans.
Artificial Intelligence and Copyright
As AI technology adoption increases, legislators are looking at cracking down on copyright concerns.
Crypto and Republicans: Navigating the Digital Currency Landscape
During the Trump era, GOP lawmakers emerged as vocal advocates for cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.
Understanding 'Junk Fees' in Broadband
President Joe Biden has made attacking 'junk fees' a key focus of his administration.
Challenges of Broadband Infrastructure Deployment
Rights of way, pole attachments, environmental permitting and other hurdles to broadband infrastructure deployment.
Navigating the Landscape of U.S. Data Privacy Regulations
There is a renewed focus on how best to protect personal information in an increasingly digital world.
The Smart City Blueprint for Urban Innovation
At play in Smart Cities: Data collection, smart infrastructure, IoT, communications technologies, regulations and more.
Unraveling the Complexities of Net Neutrality
Top controversies include 5G network slicing, paid prioritizing and exempting broadband providers from Universal Service Fund contributions.
The Challenge of Spectrum Sharing
At the center of the battle over the airwaves in the United States is the question of spectrum sharing.
The Policy and Law Behind 'Rip and Replace'
The policy and law surrounding the program to remove Chinese telecommunications equipment from U.S. networks.
Broadband Providers Oppose Another Petition to Change FCC Pole Rules
A coalition of utility companies asked the FCC to discard part of its new pole attachment rules.
The FCC's Digital Discrimination Rules
The controversies and details surrounding the FCC's rules to prevent and eliminate digital discrimination.
Kristian Stout: Internet for All Won’t Happen Without Real Pole Access Reform
The FCC should encourage solutions that help facilitate make-ready work when utilities are dragging their feet.
Capito Wants Action on Poles, Easy Info on Satellite Apps, MobileX in Walmart
Senator wants FCC to make order on pole attachment, replacement cost issues.
A Deep Dive into the BEAD Program’s Matching Funds
Will the program’s matching funds requirement stretch federal dollars, or hinder smalller providers?
Broadband Breakfast on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 – Permitting Reforms and Pole Attachments
While policymakers work to lift barriers such as permitting reform, others remain sidelined, such as pole access.
Precursors to BEAD Implementation: A Deep Dive Into Prior Broadband Programs
How will prior broadband programs impact BEAD Implementation?
A Deep Dive into Allocations Under the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program
What’s next for BEAD implementation?
Impacts of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022
When President Biden talks about his economic program, the CHIPS Act is the star of the show.
Revisiting the NTIA's Middle Program Ahead of Funding Announcements
The NTIA is on the cusp of announcing the award winners to the states by June 30, 2023.
Green Energy Provisions Meet Smart Grid and Broadband Infrastructure
Advances for the green economy in the Inflation Reduction Act rely upon smart grid infrastructure.
Content Moderation, Section 230 and the Future of Online Speech
Our comprehensive report examines the extremely timely issue of content moderation and Section 230 from multiple angles.
What to Know About Build America, Buy America Provisions in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Will providers be required to use equipment that is not readily available within the United States?
What You Need to Know About the FCC’s Maps and the Challenge Process
The Broadband Breakfast Report for January 2023 lays out the things to know about the challenge process.
The 12 Days of Broadband (2022 Edition)
Broadband Breakfast presents the first of its annual '12 Days of Broadband' series about the top 12 stories of the year.
Premium Reports
The Breakfast Club produces exclusive, Premium Reports on actionable topics of broadband policy and internet technology.
Utility Pole Owners Should Test Structures Before Delivery of Federal Funds: Consulting Firm
Poles should be assessed for integrity to carry additional equipment, says director at engineering consulting firm.
FCC Seeks Comment on Pole Replacement Rules
Revising its pole replacement rules may give providers quicker access to poles in communities for deploying high-speed broadband.
Kristian Stout: Costs For Pole Attachments Should be Shared by Utilities and New Broadband Entrants
From policymakers to industry and consumers, everyone wants fast broadband internet in their homes, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Not many, however, wish to consider the complicated tradeoffs that broadband companies need to make to bring this desire into reality. One of the mor
Verizon Takes a ‘Pole Position’ More Suited to a New Entrant Than an Established Incumbent
BROADBAND BREAKFAST INSIGHT: It is truly astonishing to see an incumbent provider, such as Verizon, taking the position that there must be easier access to poles and rights of way. But that’s a good thing! Perhaps this is evidence of how far Verizon has moved away from the public utility model, but
