The Senate approved two bills today to boost the availability of broadband by reducing regulatory burdens on telecommunications companies and utilizing existing infrastructure to further deploy high-speed internet, according to Senator Dan Laughlin, who supported the bills.
Senate Bill 1112 would break down barriers to broadband deployment by modernizing the Public Utility Code and requiring the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to waive certain regulations, review regulations every three years and eliminate those that are no longer necessary or in the public interest.
Many of the regulations in the Public Utility Code were originally designed solely for telephone companies and have been in place for decades without being reviewed for relevancy. Changes in technology and in the telecommunications marketplace have made these costly regulations unnecessary.
House Bill 2438 would aid in the deployment of broadband by using infrastructure that is already in place for other uses. The bill would allow electric cooperatives to utilize existing utility poles to place fiber-optic lines if the placement does not adversely affect the value or use of the property.
Both bills would boost the state’s efforts to expand broadband in unserved and underserved areas in rural Pennsylvania.
Senate Bill 1112 was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. House Bill 2438 was sent for concurrence on Senate amendments.
Contact: Matt Azeles mazeles@pasen.gov