Pa. PUC Should Reverse Pre-empt FCC on Pole Attachments, Says NetSpeed

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission could regulate pole attachments better than the FCC, commented fiber company NetSpeed, posted Tuesday in docket L-2018-3002672. Comments are due Oct. 29 on a rulemaking on asserting state jurisdiction over pole attachments and creating a forum for dispute resolution (see 1807250039). PUC “expertise regarding electric utilities and electric distribution service will provide a basis for wise regulation that the Federal Communications Commission unavoidably lacks,” NetSpeed said. “One of the drawbacks of the FCC’s pole attachment complaint process is that it typically does not result in a decision for many months.” A speedier process in Pennsylvania would encourage fiber investment, it said. The company supported adopting the existing federal regime there, not a mechanism to automatically adopt federal changes.