The Public Service Commission (PSC) is working to streamline the implementation of broadband across the state.
The PSC on Tuesday adopted recommendations of its Pole Attachment Task Force to settle disputes on how companies should share utility poles.
For broadband to expand across West Virginia, fiber optic cable needs to be attached to utility poles, which are often owned by local electric companies or telephone companies. But disputes between pole owners and other utilities over capacity and access have proven to be a major stumbling block for the maintenance and improvement of infrastructure nationally.
The task force recommendations bring the state closer to recent FCC guidelines and include establishing a Rapid Response Team to mediate disputes, creating a pole information database and requiring annual reports from pole owners.
The PSC noted it will be necessary to have further proceedings in this matter including the collection of data and the creation of a database. The task force was also ordered to meet with state power companies, utilities and the various parties involved within 10 days of the PSC’s order to advance their recommendations.
Lawmakers in the House of Delegates attempted to address pole attachment issues during the 2024 session, but House Bill 4706 failed to pass the Senate.