Promoting Broadband for Anchor Institutions
and their Communities
FCC Seeks to Remove Rights-of-Way Barriers to Broadband Deployment March 16, 2022
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Alicja Johnson
Communications Manager
ajohnson@shlb.org
(571) 308-6171
Washington, D.C. (March 16, 2022) - Today the Federal Communications Commission adopted a Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (SFNPRM) to streamline broadband deployment by making it easier and more predictable to access poles.
John Windhausen Jr., executive director of the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition, made the following statement:
“The SHLB Coalition thanks the FCC for proposing action to resolve pole attachments and rights-of-way disputes, which are among the most significant barriers to closing the digital divide. We look forward to working with the Commission to create a consistent federal framework for pole attachments that will speed the pace of broadband buildout while still respecting the rights of local pole owners to administer these assets.”
The SHLB Coalition previously filed a January 31 letter asking for the SFNPRM, and a March 9 letter proposing changes to the draft SFNPRM.
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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.