Federal Communications Commission FCC 07-187
STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER DEBORAH TAYLOR TATE
Implementation of Section 224 of the Act; Amendment of the Commission’s Rules and Policies Governing 
Pole Attachments, WC Docket No. 07-245, RM-11293, RM-11303, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
Nearly 10 years ago the FCC implemented section 224 of the Telecommunications Act which conferred on 
cable and telecommunications providers the right to pole attachments at “just and reasonable rates, terms 
and conditions”.  Since that time the competitive landscape has changed dramatically with providers of 
voice, broadband, and video services increasingly competing cross-platform.  As convergence has become a 
reality in the United States, I have sought to limit the regulatory hindrances to competition, in part by 
seeking to ensure a level regulatory playing field.  To the extent possible all providers of the same service 
must be treated in the same manner regardless of the technology they employ.   To that end I have worked to 
help ensure technological and competitive neutrality in communications markets to minimize marketplace 
distortions arising from regulatory advantage.  For example, we have adopted the same regulatory approach 
for broadband Internet access service provided over cable systems, telephone wires, power lines, and 
wireless platforms; helping to promote competition and which will in turn propel broadband deployment-
one of my principal priorities.             
Through section 706 of the Act Congress charges the FCC with promoting the deployment of broadband 
infrastructure. In initiating this inquiry we properly seek input on whether our rules governing pole 
attachment rates remain appropriate in light of the increasing intermodal competition in the marketplace 
today.  Significantly, due to the import of promoting broadband deployment and the importance of 
technological neutrality, we tentatively conclude that all categories of companies should pay the same pole 
attachment rate for all attachments used for broadband Internet access service.  
Through this inquiry we will seek to ensure that our regulatory framework responds to the dynamic changes 
in technology and the markets for telecommunications and video services and  remains faithful to the pro-
competitive, market- provisions of the Act.