Promoting Broadband for Anchor Institutions
and their Communities
SHLB Applauds FCC Pole Attachments Rulemaking February 24, 2022
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Alicja Johnson
Communications Manager
ajohnson@shlb.org
(571) 308-6171
Washington, D.C. (February 24, 2024) - Today the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition applauded Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Rosenworcel for releasing a draft Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Second Further Notice) that seeks to address pole replacement and attachment disputes. The Second Further Notice comes following a SHLB letter to the FCC last month that expressed concern about the impact of these unresolved pole attachment issues on broadband buildout.
John Windhausen Jr., executive director of the SHLB Coalition, made the following statement:
“The SHLB Coalition applauds Chairwoman Rosenworcel for prioritizing pole attachments with this proposed rulemaking. Access to utility poles is one of the biggest barriers to closing the digital divide, and with a historic amount of federal funding for broadband on the table, it’s critical that we ensure pole attachments don’t stand in the way of maximizing these programs’ impact.”
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About SHLB:
The SHLB Coalition is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) advocacy organization that supports open, affordable, high-quality broadband connections for anchor institutions and their surrounding communities. The SHLB Coalition is based in Washington, D.C. and has a diverse membership of commercial and non-commercial organizations from across the United States. To learn more, visit www.shlb.org.