Tweaks Sought to Conn. OTMR Plan

is a positive development that will surely speed broadband deployment throughout Connecticut, another step is needed,” said CTIA in docket 19-01-52RE01. “The Authority should adopt self-help provisions for wireless attachments." Otherwise, PURA “runs the considerable risk of having to reopen this docket yet again if it finds that its solution to landline deployment delays has given rise to delayed wireless deployment,” CTIA said. The New England Cable and Telecommunications Association (NECTA) asked PURA to clarify “cost sharing to ensure that pole owners do not improperly delay correction of code violations or pole maintenance work required for the pole owners’ and single pole administrators’ (SPAs) own service requirements, resulting in unnecessary broadband deployment delays and unfair cost shifting to attachers.” Also, make clear that attachers have pre- and post-complaint discovery rights like under the FCC regime, “shorten the timeline for claims arising from denials or delays of access to facilities,” and “clarify that an existing attacher has a right to move its own facilities before OTMR work commences,” NECTA said. Several groups, including NECTA, Crown Castle and two Connecticut agencies, separately urged PURA to allow a field-side attachment process called “boxing.” The Office of Consumer Counsel and Department of Energy and Environmental Protection wrote, “Limiting this practice could result in inhibiting competition and higher construction costs, reducing the ability to serve the Connecticut consumers that currently have no access to broadband." Continuing to raise safety and collective bargaining issues, Communications Workers of America urged PURA to delay OTMR implementation “until after the conclusion of a thorough formal investigation of the safety issues and concerns." Eversource Energy urged PURA to give parties a reasonable amount of time to implement OTMR. Don't fine United Illuminating for a third party's failure to comply with the order, UI said.