STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER MIGNON L. CLYBURN
Re: Implementation of Section 224 of the Act, WC Docket No. 07-245, A National Broadband 
Plan for Our Future, GN Docket No. 09-51
I support today’s item because access to poles, conduits and rights-of-way are the “nuts 
and bolts” of how providers deploy broadband to America.  With clear rules, those entities 
requiring access to facilities and those companies owning the facilities will each respectively 
understand their rights and obligations under the Communications Act.  The result will be more 
predictable and timely access to facilities, as well as an opportunity for providers to better plan 
and execute deployment of their networks.  This clarity will enable us to meet our goals of 
expeditiously reaching those consumers who don’t currently have broadband available to them 
offering a competitive broadband service in some cases.  Moreover, I agree with this item’s 
conclusion that pole rental rates should not discourage providers from offering broadband service 
over their networks.  This item puts forward specific rules for comment in order to achieve our 
goal to encourage broadband deployment throughout the country to benefit consumers, while 
balancing the safety and reliability concerns of facility owners.  Once this record is complete, we 
should move forward promptly in order to promote broadband deployment and competition.