Make it easier to use existing utility poles
by Jim Estep
Millions of dollars will soon be coming into the state to expand access to a vital service — broadband internet. We need to make sure that this money is not wasted because of project delays.
As the president and CEO of the High Technology Foundation, I see the need for expanded broadband daily. Without expanded access to reliable, high-speed internet, our state will fall further and further behind other parts of the nation when it comes to education, economic and workforce development and telehealth.
Our leaders in Washington, D.C., recognized this need as well, and that is why they allocated $65 billion to fund broadband projects around the nation. Most of this funding will go to connecting those living in rural, underserved areas. It will be a windfall for West Virginia where internet connectivity is very spotty. This push for internet connectivity could impact the state as much as the rural electrification efforts of the early 1900s.
But we must make sure we are making the most of this effort. And that means streamlining the rules that address broadband infrastructure projects, specifically when it comes to using existing utility poles. Existing utility poles are an essential component to our nation’s infrastructure. They carry electric and phone lines thousands of miles to households in the most remote sections of the nation. They can also be utilized for broadband infrastructure.
To make sure we are getting broadband to as many households as possible, as quickly as we can, we need to streamline the permitting process for utilizing existing utility poles. Congress can address this permitting process to address both inconsistencies and delays — all at no additional cost to the taxpayer.
The rules should spell out the permit process across multiple jurisdictions and set clear and concise timelines for obtaining permits. Presently, the process for obtaining permits varies from state to state and that does nothing but hold up widespread broadband buildouts.
Additionally, the rules should ensure that any disputes between the utility pole owners and the broadband providers are heard and resolved quickly and that the cost of replacing any damaged poles is split fairly between all connected parties.
We can no longer afford to sit around and wait. We need increased broadband connectivity right now. The push to connect rural America will benefit not just those living in West Virginia, but the entire nation.
It will mean that children will no longer have to go to mobile hotspots to access reliable internet service for school assignments. It will mean that those living in rural regions of the nation will have the same opportunities to access telehealth services as those living in urban centers. And it will allow rural portions of the nation to compete on a level playing field when it comes to job creation and economic development.
We must expand our broadband quickly to make sure that everyone can take advantage of the benefits of this service. I hope our state’s leaders in Washington, D.C. will support the effort to draft these new rules so we can put the millions of dollars of investment to use in an efficient manner and speed up broadband expansion throughout the nation.
