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# Major ISPs Press FCC to Speed Pole Access Ahead of Big BEAD Projects
- URL: https://broadbandbreakfast.com/major-isps-press-fcc-to-speed-pole-access-ahead-of-big-bead-projects/
- Published: 2024-08-08T18:26:32.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-11T06:04:46.000Z
- Description: NCTA proposed the FCC extend the 45-day make-ready timeframe for orders of up to 6,000 poles.
- Author: Jericho Casper
- Tags: Infrastructure, Cox Communications, FCC, Charter, #with-siderail, NCTA, Comcast, utility poles, Pamela Arluk, Jessica Rosenworcel

WASHINGTON, August 8, 2024 – Major Internet Service Providers want federal regulators to speed access to utility poles ahead of the release of billions of dollars to fund rural broadband projects.

In the midst of a multibillion dollar federal initiative to connect unserved and underserved households to high-speed internet, major stakeholders in the U.S. broadband industry have expressed concern that the make-ready work required to prepare utility poles for new attachments could stifle the timely deployment of networks.

Acknowledging potential issues that could impact the timing of make-ready applications, representatives from NCTA – The Internet & Television Association, along with Charter, Comcast, and Cox, met with the Federal Communications Commission last Thursday. Together they urged the FCC to broaden timelines for make-ready pole attachment orders to accommodate the large-scale projects anticipated under the $42.45 Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.

During the discussion, NCTA urged the FCC to adopt additional rules that would allow parties interested in attaching equipment to utility poles to employ utility-approved contractors to provide easement information when utilities cannot meet the FCC’s proposed make-ready timelines.

NCTA representatives also proposed that the FCC broaden the 45-day make-ready timeframe, initially set for pole orders of up to 3,000 poles, to encompass pole attachment orders of up to 6,000 poles or 10% of a utility’s poles.

In its [December pole ruling](https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-23-109A1.pdf?ref=broadbandbreakfast.com), the FCC set a 45-day timeline for utilities to provide easement information for large orders with 300 to 3,000 attachment requests and a 30-day timeline for accelerated orders with fewer than 300 requests. However, the order did not specify a make-ready timeframe for attachment requests exceeding 3,000 poles; instead, it only required utilities to "negotiate the timing of the make-ready in good faith."

According to NCTA Vice President **Pamela Arluk**, attachers are advocating for extending the 45-day make-ready timeline to "grant-size orders" involving 3,000 to 6,000 pole attachment requests. Arluk noted that attachers have expressed concerns that pole replacement and attachment issues [could obstruct](https://broadbandbreakfast.com/a-hidden-issue-potentially-impacting-bead-implementation-pole-attachments/) the rollout of internet networks funded by BEAD.

FCC Chairwoman **Jessica Rosenworcel** said the FCC’s updated pole attachment rules were to [alleviate obstacles](https://broadbandbreakfast.com/utility-companies-push-back-against-fccs-new-pole-regulations/) that may impede broadband deployments funded by the BEAD program when adopting the ruling at [the FCC’s December 2023 meeting](https://broadbandbreakfast.com/fcc-adopts-new-pole-attachment-rules-at-december-meeting/).

However, industry representatives maintain the FCC must address these proposed reforms to enable the timely deployment of broadband to underserved and unserved areas.