"ACA Connects - an association representing about 500 independent broadband providers and municipalities - held a press briefing today announcing its intention to file comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on permitting and other issues, aimed at streamlining deployment of broadband infrastructure. The comments respond to the FCC's "Build America: Eliminating Barriers to Wireline Deployment" Notice of Inquiry, part of Chairman Brendan Carr's broader effort to remove broadband buildout obstacles."
"According to two ACA Connects staff members - President and CEO Grant Spellmeyer and Senior Vice President of Legal and Regulatory Affairs Brian Hurley - the association's members experience significant delays in obtaining construction permits from local governments, often with no explanation or timeline provided. In one case, a provider faced an 18-month delay while a city pursued its own competing network project."
"To address these issues, ACA Connects recommends the FCC adopt "shot clocks" that require state and local agencies to act on complete permitting applications within reasonable timeframes. Beyond delays, ACA Connects members are grappling with unexpected, excessive permitting fees. Some communities add inspection fees after permits are already granted, while others mandate construction requirements that deviate from standard industry practices."
ACA Connects represents about 500 independent broadband providers and municipalities and will file comments with the FCC responding to the 'Build America: Eliminating Barriers to Wireline Deployment' Notice of Inquiry. The organization invokes Section 253 to seek preemption of state or local requirements that prohibit telecommunications service. Members report significant permitting delays, including an 18-month delay while a city pursued a competing network and constrained review areas causing months-long delays for routine upgrades. ACA Connects recommends FCC-imposed shot clocks for permitting decisions and seeks relief from unexpected, excessive permitting fees and nonstandard construction mandates that deter smaller providers and investment. The group requests clarification on the treatment of in-kind contributions such as free conduit or fiber to municipalities.
Read at Telecompetitor
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