PITTSBURGH, November 25, 2015 – American Cable Association President and CEO Matthew M. Polka issued the following statement in response to the Federal Communications Commission’s adoption of an order designed to bring parity to rates for attachments to utility poles paid by cable and telecommunications service providers at the cable rate formula level:
“ACA is pleased with the FCC’s adoption of the new pole attachment Order. By preventing pole owners from increasing attachment rates paid by cable providers, the decision addresses a major concern of ACA members that the FCC’s action in the Open Internet Order classifying broadband Internet access service as a telecommunications service will deter cable operators from investing in their broadband networks. While ACA continues to oppose the FCC’s decision to reclassify broadband Internet access service, the independent cable community appreciates that the FCC’s effort to mitigate some of the harm to investment in networks from this order by ensuring the rate formula for telecommunications services will produce pole attachment rates at parity with the cable formula. This decision also will harmonize attachment rates overseen by the federal government and the rates overseen by many states.”
About the American Cable Association: Based in Pittsburgh, the American Cable Association is a trade organization representing nearly 850 smaller and medium-sized, independent cable companies who provide broadband services for nearly 7 million cable subscribers primarily located in rural and smaller suburban markets across America. Through active participation in the regulatory and legislative process in Washington, D.C., ACA’s members work together to advance the interests of their customers and ensure the future competitiveness and viability of their business. For more information, visit https://acaconnects.org/