Broadband connectivity and its services have become an integral part of our society, yet too many people are being left behind. The pandemic has made this especially evident.
As the passage of the bipartisan Infrastructure Act last year shows, it is heartening to see leaders like Senator Richard Blumenthal recognize this and act accordingly. Congress has leveled the playing field by allocating $65 billion, he said, to expand connectivity and provide an opportunity to bring everyone online. However, it is imperative that lawmakers ensure that this new funding is used to its full potential.
[RELATED: CT gets $5.7 million to plan broadband deployment and adoption]
They can do this by facilitating access to utility poles. Such actions are necessary to achieve true universal connectivity.
As the backbone of Japan’s telecommunications infrastructure, utility poles play an important role in expanding broadband access. Internet access can only be provided to underserved areas if the Internet provider can install the necessary equipment on the poles. Too often, however, an overly complicated permitting process thwarts such efforts.
Internet providers typically don’t own the poles, so they must obtain permission from the pole owner (usually a cooperative, local authority, or power company). However, during this process, a long-running dispute can arise between the provider and the pole owner over the cost of replacing and maintaining the pole. Because of these controversies, unserved Connecticut residents continue to be denied access to things like online learning, telemedicine services, and job searches.
Especially when current federal funding opportunities allow us to close the gap, no such avoidable obstacle can prevent us from connecting all Americans. It is necessary to create a clearer mechanism for doing so. It is very imperative that federal leaders reach out to the Pole as soon as possible to ensure there are transparent timelines and processes for resolving disagreements.
As an advocate for Connecticut’s local government interests, I know that too many residents are being left behind. Essential.
Expanding Internet access as soon as possible is essential. Lack of access to poles means lack of access to education and employment opportunities. Unnecessary equipment installation delays have a clear negative impact on student academic performance and adult employment prospects.
I encourage Senator Blumenthal to build on the important work he has already done on this issue and take the next step in fixing this outdated system. This will ensure that the bipartisan infrastructure law achieves its goal of ensuring universal access to critical infrastructure.
James J. Finley, Jr. is the former. eexecutive D.Director and CEO of CT Conference for Local Government [CCM]Finley also led the efforts of the CT Coalition for Education Funding Justice [CCJEF].
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