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Representative urges municipal access to poles and rights‑of‑way to lower broadband costs
Summary
Representative John Barrett told the committee municipalities should be allowed to attach broadband infrastructure to utility poles without make‑ready fees, arguing that prior state investments make space available and municipal systems could lower monthly broadband costs.
Representative John Barrett of Massachusetts testified to the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy about a bill that would expand municipal access to poles and public rights‑of‑way to allow towns and cities to lower broadband costs by avoiding or reducing make‑ready fees.
Barrett said Massachusetts has spent hundreds of millions on broadband buildout and telephone pole replacement, and that ‘‘the…
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