NTIA Defends BEAD Pole Rules

Providers anticipate understaffed cities, utilities being a deployment challenge.

NTIA Defends BEAD Pole Rules
Photo of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in the East Room of the White House on Friday, May 22, 2026 by Alex Brandon/AP

WASHINGTON, June 12, 2026 — The Commerce Department wants to expand federal pole attachment rules as part of its flagship broadband grant program. Electric cooperatives, which are usually exempt from the regime, aren’t happy about it.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s top attorney defended the agency’s policy Thursday.

Popular Tags