November 16, 2017

FCC Pole Attachment Reforms Will Accelerate Broadband Deployments And Help Bridge The Digital Divide

ACA Congratulates Chairman Pai And The Commission For Implementing Their ‘Infrastructure’ Agenda

PITTSBURGH, Nov. 16, 2017 – American Cable Association President and CEO Matthew M. Polka issued the following statement regarding the Federal Communications Commission vote on accelerating wireline broadband deployment:

“ACA enthusiastically endorsed Chairman Pai’s ‘infrastructure’ agenda when he first announced it earlier this year. Removing barriers to high-performance broadband network builds will further propel ACA members and other network providers, who are investing tens of billions of dollars annually, to undertake these deployments and speed the provision of service, especially to smaller communities and rural areas that are in danger of being left behind.

“With today’s action to reform certain pole attachment practices, Chairman Pai and his fellow Commissioners are demonstrating they are committed to following through on this agenda. ACA congratulates the FCC on today’s decision and on the promise of further action to break down barriers to network builds. ACA and others have worked hard over the past months through the FCC’s Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee to reach a consensus on measures that would further expedite pole attachments, and we look forward to working with the Chairman and the Commissioners to have these measures adopted and implemented expeditiously.”

About the American Cable Association: Based in Pittsburgh, the American Cable Association is a trade organization representing about 750 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/