Sections 1.1411, 1.1412, 1.1415 and 1.1416 and Pole Attachment Access Requirements and Dispute Resolution Requirements

The Commission adopted a comprehensive regulatory scheme to ensure just and reasonable rates, terms, and conditions of access to utility infrastructure (usually called “poles or “pole attachments”), with a robust dispute resolution process when the parties are not able to agree on terms. The Commission also adopted requirements for providing communications providers with information about the status of the utility poles they plan to use as they map out their broadband builds. Access to poles involves requests, responses, notices, and coordination among utility pole owners, requesting attachers, and parties with existing facilities attached to the poles. The regulations in 47 CFR sections 1.1411, 1.1412, 1.1415, and 1.1416 include pole complaint and other dispute resolution processes, pole access timelines for one-touch, make-ready (OTMR) and non-OTMR attachments, and use by new attachers of utility-approved contract workers. In addition, the rules require utilities to allow attachers to “overlash” existing wires and they eliminate outdated disparities between the pole attachment rates that incumbent carriers must pay compared to other similarly-situated cable and telecommunications attachers.

The latest form for Sections 1.1411, 1.1412, 1.1415 and 1.1416 and Pole Attachment Access Requirements and Dispute Resolution Requirements expires 2027-07-31 and can be found here.