USTelecom Statement on D.C. Circuit Decision to Uphold FCC Pole Attachment Order

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals today issued a unanimous decision upholding all aspects of the April 2011 order of the Federal Communications Commission establishing a new regulatory regime for attachments to utility poles. USTelecom joined this case as an intervenor in support of the Commission in order to defend the agency’s conclusion that incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) were included within the statute’s protections for just and reasonable attachment rates and conditions.

The following statement is from USTelecom President & CEO Walter B. McCormick Jr.:

“Today’s unanimous appeals court decision, upholding all aspects of the FCC’s order on pole attachments, is a win for competition, a win for consumers, and a win for broadband deployment. Assuring that incumbent local exchange carriers have access to the federal statutory protections of just and reasonable pole attachment rates was a key objective of Chairman Genachowski’s Broadband Acceleration Initiative, and today’s action by the D.C. Court of Appeals provides the certainty and predictability that is so important to investment. We applaud both the FCC, and the Court, on a wise decision that advances the public interest.”

About USTelecom

The United States Telecom Association, USTelecom, is the premier broadband trade association representing service providers and suppliers for the telecom industry. USTelecom represents companies offering a wide range of advanced telecommunications services including voice, video and data over local exchange, long distance, wireless, Internet and cable platforms.