Utility Pole Owners Should Test Structures Before Delivery of Federal Funds: Consulting Firm

WASHINGTON, July 20, 2022 – Utility pole owners should assess the readiness of their structures for fiber attachments before the federal government delivers billions in funds for broadband infrastructure, according to a director at an engineering consulting firm.

Sean Middleton, director of strategy operations at Finley Engineering, said at a Fiber for Breakfast event Wednesday that utility pole operators must conduct a pole-ready analysis to understand the poles’ structural integrity and provide a high-level report of what the poles need to be ready for fiber builds. That includes whether the pole will withstand the weight and strain of additional equipment.

He added that it is important for pole owners to make these preparations prior to the release of the $42.5 billion from the federal government’s Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program.

Fiber providers will often choose to attach broadband infrastructure to existing utility poles over ground, which is often more economically feasible than putting cables underground.

Pole attachments are a major concern for policy makers of broadband funding initiatives. There is considerable debate regarding the responsibility of pole attachers to pay for replacing poles. In June, the Federal Communications Commission issued a proposed rulemaking on removing barriers to infrastructure investment, including addressing the tension between pole owners and attachers regarding the replacement costs of poles.