COMMONSENSE SOLUTIONS

The benefits of high-speed internet are undeniable. Yet, numerous barriers still exist today that slow or prevent deployment, especially in rural areas. We’re calling for commonsense solutions to address obstacles that inhibit bringing broadband to all Texans.

For example, some of the first obstacles we should tackle are unnecessary delays and the lack of comprehensive rules associated with attaching broadband infrastructure to certain utility poles in Texas.  To provide broadband service in rural areas, providers must attach much of their network infrastructure to poles.  Yet Texas has virtually no rules governing the timeframes associated with cooperative review of pole attachment requests from broadband providers and no process to fairly allocate costs between broadband providers and some utilities when poles need replacing. The result is delay and disputes that hurt the chances of efficient and timely deployment to unserved, rural areas of Texas.

Addressing these types of roadblocks will help bring high-speed broadband access to more people, and will help empower Texans to find the opportunities they need to thrive in the 21st Century.