FCC Takes Action to Remove Barriers to Broadband Deployment and Investment

The Federal Communications Commission announced that it has approved updates to its pole attachment rules that will make it easier and faster to deploy broadband networks.  This action supports Chairman Carr’s Build America Agenda objective to unleash high-speed infrastructure and get America building again. 

The FCC’s pole attachment rules prescribe processes and timelines that attachers and pole owners must follow when telecom crews attach communications infrastructure to those poles.  Increased funding for broadband projects has led to extensive new deployments in recent years, resulting in a significant increase in attachment applications for large numbers of utility poles.

For too long, a lack of standard rules and timelines for processing large broadband deployment orders have slowed rollouts and led to costly disputes.  By encouraging communications companies and pole owners to collaborate on larger broadband deployments and by providing more concrete timelines, today’s action will remove barriers to deployment, encourage investment, and help achieve high-speed broadband availability for all Americans, consistent with the spirit and intent of Section 224.

In December 2023, the Commission adopted the Fourth Report and Order, Declaratory Ruling, and Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in which it took steps to make the pole attachment process faster, more transparent, and more cost-effective and sought comment on additional actions it could take to prevent delays and other challenges to broadband deployment. Today’s actions move these proposals forward.  Today’s item will also seek comment on whether light poles are covered by Section 224 of the Communications Act.

Action by the Commission July 24, 2025 by Fifth Report and Order, Fourth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and Orders on Reconsideration (FCC 25-38).  Chairman Carr, Commissioners Gomez and Trusty approving.  Chairman Carr and Commissioner Trusty issuing separate statements.

Source: Federal Communications Commission media announcement