Enforcement Bureau in Part Supports AT&T Florida Against FPL on Utility Pole Attachments

The FCC Enforcement Bureau granted in part and denied in part AT&T's abandonment clause claim against Florida Power & Light on utility pole attachments, said an order posted Monday in docket 20-214. The bureau granted AT&T's claim that FPL "engaged in unjust and unreasonable practices" by sending its notice of abandonment contrary to the terms of its joint use agreement. FPL was directed to remove any remaining signs that said a pole was the property of AT&T because it "could have caused consumer confusion." The bureau denied AT&T's request that it amend the abandonment clause. The bureau also dismissed AT&T's payment default clause claim with prejudice because it "violated the commission's rules by failing to assert the claim in its first complaint," which is pending before the commission regarding the rate it pays to attach its facilities to FPL's poles. The bureau previously granted in part AT&T's complaint on unreasonable pole attachment rates (see 2101140066). AT&T is "reviewing the decision," emailed a spokesperson. FPL didn't comment.