FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 
                                   WASHINGTON 

        
OFFICE OF THE 
  CHAIRWOMAN                                  April 3, 2023 
   
  The Honorable Tammy Baldwin 
  United States Senate 
  709 Hart Senate Office Building 
  Washington, DC  20510 
   
  Dear Senator Baldwin:  

       Thank you for your letter regarding the efforts of the Federal Communications 
 Commission to promote broadband deployment and competition—specifically as it relates to our 
 pole attachment rules and processes.  I agree that the Commission should be doing everything it 
  can to speed the deployment of broadband to all areas of the country and that ensuring there is a 
  transparent, fair, and fast pole attachment process that considers the needs of pole owners and 
  attachers is a key part of that effort.  I realize this is especially important in rural areas of 
  Wisconsin, including the northeast corner of the state, where it appears that many households 
  lack access to high-speed broadband connections.   
         
        As you are aware, last year the Commission unanimously adopted a rulemaking that 
  sought comment on questions concerning the allocation of pole replacement costs between 
  utilities and attachers.  In particular, we sought comment about whether we need to provide 
  greater clarity when a pole must be replaced to accommodate new communications equipment 
  and on other complex economic and legal issues that may arise with pole replacements.  The 
  rulemaking also sought comment on whether there are other reforms we can make to speed up 
  the process for negotiations over pole replacements and attachments, recognizing that certainty is 
 good both for the providers seeking to build broadband networks and for the electric companies 
 that own most utility poles.   

       Commission staff is currently reviewing the record in this proceeding.  Please be assured 
 that we will take into consideration the issues and concerns presented by all stakeholders as the 
 Commission deliberates on the appropriate course of action.      

         I appreciate your interest in this matter.  Please let me know if I can be of any further 
 assistance. 

                                      Sincerely, 

                                                                      
                                      Jessica Rosenworcel