FCC Seeks Comment on NCTA Pole Ruling Request

The FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau is seeking input on cable operators' request that it make clear pole owners' obligations when it comes to replacing those poles. 

NCTA-The Internet & Television Association on July 16 sought a declaratory ruling that:  

Related: FCC Defends Pole Attachment Dereg

"(1) pole owners must share in the cost of pole replacements in unserved areas pursuant to [the] Communications Act,...and Commission precedent; (2) pole attachment complaints arising in unserved areas should be prioritized through placement on the Accelerated Docket under section 1.736 of the Commission’s rules;" and that "(3) the Commission’s rules authorize the Commission to order any pole owner to complete a pole replacement within a specified period of time or designate an authorized contractor to do so." 

Initial comments are due Aug. 19 and reply comments by Sept. 3. 

John Eggerton

Contributing editor John Eggerton has been an editor and/or writer on media regulation, legislation and policy for over four decades, including covering the FCC, FTC, Congress, the major media trade associations, and the federal courts. In addition to Multichannel News and Broadcasting + Cable, his work has appeared in Radio World, TV Technology, TV Fax, This Week in Consumer Electronics, Variety and the Encyclopedia Britannica.