Today:  FCC Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee Working Groups, FCC Workshop on Environmental Compliance and Historic Preservation Review, California Access to PG&E Poles in Question

FCC Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee Working Groups

The FCC has announced that Chairman Pai has appointed members to serve on two Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee (BDAC) working groups: Competitive Access to Broadband Infrastructure and Removing State and Local Regulatory Barriers.  The selection of members for the Streamlining Federal Siting working group is in progress, and final selections for this group will be announced at a later date.  Working group members include many persons that are not also members of the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee.  See the Regulatory Mix dated 4/6/17.

FCC Workshop On Environmental Compliance and Historic Preservation Review

The FCC announced that on June 7, 2017, its Wireless Telecommunications Bureau will host its annual educational workshop on the environmental compliance and historic preservation review process required for the construction of wireless communications facilities.  The session will include information relevant to the construction of all new communications towers and to the collocation of communications equipment on towers and other structures.  At the workshop, FCC staff will provide information to the FCC’s licensees, those who construct communications facilities for FCC licensees, and their consultants on topics under the National Environmental Policy Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, and the FCC’s implementing regulations and agreements.  The agenda for the workshop will be posted prior to the event. 

California Access To PG&E Poles In Question

In April 2017, Pacific Gas and Electric Company filed an application for a CPCN to provide: full facilities-based and resold competitive local exchange service and resold nondominant interexchange services on a statewide basis.  In response to the application Crown Castle questions issues related to nondiscriminatory access to PG&E’s poles.  Crown asks the PUC to specifically address PG&E’s obligations to provide nondiscriminatory access to its right-of-way facilities for all communication attachments on reasonable terms and conditions.  CALTEL also filed comments expressing concern that granting a CPCN to PG&E could cause substantial harm to CLECs unless strict limitations are placed on PG&E’s ability to favor its own operations for access to poles and conduits.  [A.17-04-010]

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The Regulatory Mix, TMI’s daily blog of telecom related regulatory activities, is a snapshot of PUC, FCC, legislative, and occasionally court issues that our regulatory monitoring team uncovers each day. Depending on their significance, some items may be the subject of a TMI Briefing.