Virginia

On Pole Attachments, Industry Groups Battle Over Cost Caps and Utility Control

Comcast cited 13,000 Virginia locations facing delayed deployments from pole disputes.

Akul Saxena

Dec 1, 2025 — 4 min read

Photo of Appalachian Power Company's regional office in Roanoke, Va.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1, 2025 — Pole deployments are the type of sleeper issue that could determine the time frame for deployment of the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program.

And on that front, broadband providers and electric utilities filed competing positions with the Federal Communications Commission on the costs, contractor access and timeline.

Providers told the FCC that unpredictable invoices, responsibility for preexisting safety violations and lengthy contractor approval processes are slowing deployment, while utilities said the proposed reforms would create safety risks, disrupt grid operations and shift unrecoverable expenses onto power companies.

Comcast challenges Appalachian Power policy

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Virginia FCC Pole Attachments BEAD Comcast Appalachian Power Company NCTA CTIA INCOMPAS Crown Castle ACA Connects Edison Electric Institute Dominion Energy Coalition of Concerned Utilities Arizona Public Service Evergy Eversource FirstEnergy USTelecom Section 224 utility poles Southern Company Entergy AEP Duke Energy Amery

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