Pole Attachment Reform Passes in Nashville to AT&T's Dismay Nashville has voted to approve new "one touch make ready" utility pole reform rules despite heavy opposition from area incumbents AT&T and Comcast. As we've been discussing, Google Fiber has been pushing for the rules, which would dramatically reduce the time it takes to attach new fiber to utility poles by letting one insured contractor move any company's gear on a pole. The reform, while relatively simple, could reduce the installation time of new fiber on utility poles by as much as eight months.

Google Fiber hopes the rules allow it to dramatically speed up deployment of its ultra-fast gigabit broadband service. According to the Tennessean, the city council voted by a significant 32-7 margin to advance Google Fiber's proposed reform legislation. The city tells the paper it's expecting AT&T to sue over the new rules. AT&T has already sued Louisville for passing similar rules, arguing that the city council lacked the authority to make such a decision. Both AT&T and Comcast have tried to argue that one touch make ready rules will result in a dramatic spike in the number of network outages, though the companies also have a major incentive to make Google Fiber's expansion as difficult as possible given it results in a notable spike in real competition. "Improving the make-ready construction process is key to unlocking access to a faster Internet for Nashville, and this Ordinance will allow new entrants like Google Fiber to bring broadband to more Nashvillians efficiently, safely and quickly," Google Fiber wrote in a blog post explaining its support of the rules. "We look forward to continuing our work with NES and other attachers to bring our service to more homes and businesses in Nashville, faster." According to Google Fiber, of the 88,000 utility poles Google Fiber needs to do work on in Nashville, over 44,000 will require make ready work. But so far, complains the company, only 33 poles have been properly prepared for work despite Google Fiber's request. According to Google Fiber, of the 88,000 utility poles Google Fiber needs to do work on in Nashville, over 44,000 will require make ready work. But so far, complains the company, only 33 poles have been properly prepared for work despite Google Fiber's request.







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Most recommended from 179 comments



TIGERON

join:2008-03-11

Boston, MA 43 recommendations TIGERON Member Angry voters fed up sub-par service are already winning this fight High cost, low quality, data caps filled service is why people want better. So FUCK YOU AT&T and Comcast. These two companies brought this onto themselves. Good. wkm001

join:2009-12-14 22 recommendations wkm001 Member Same Contractors Hasn't the argument been made that the same contractors work for all three companies. Meaning, they would be moving the lines anyway.



These are common sense laws. airslot

join:2016-02-13 16 recommendations airslot Member Nashvilles Vote for Pole attachment Reform Kudos to the leaders of Nashville for leading the way. May more local Governments emulate their response & pass similar reforms.

kdwycha

join:2003-01-30

Ruskin, FL 14 recommendations kdwycha Member Faux Victory Unfortunately AT&T has a gang of the best of the best attorneys and this is likely to be found unlawful. The FCC or some sort of federal agency that has oversight of this sort of thing needs to weight in and set national rules. If not these local pissing fights over pole attachments will continue and slow progress to a halt only hurting consumers.

Anonbd26a

@2600:8807.x 6 recommendations Anonbd26a Anon So much for those boasts Poor Ma Bell and Concast can't have their way. I can't wait to see their crying complaints just like they laughed at Google about the other day.

kevinds

Premium Member

join:2003-05-01

Calgary, AB 5 recommendations kevinds Premium Member Not just Google



This will be good for them too. This also affects a lot more than Google. The smaller independent companies wanting to run fiber for competition who also need this, but don't have the money to fight the incumbents on well everything..This will be good for them too.