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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 biggest cost for [municipalities] to do this is what they call the make ready fee.’’ He said those fees can exceed $2,000 per attachment in many areas and argued the bill — which he first filed in 2019 — would allow communities to attach municipal broadband infrastructure at no charge in public rights‑of‑way. "If communities would be given what this bill will allow to happen is that the cities and towns of Massachusetts and municipalities will be able to attach at no charge for make ready fees to the polls that exist in their communities," he said.
Barrett cited municipal examples, including a small Berkshire County town where a municipal system charges about $88 per month and urged the committee to give the bill a favorable report. He said affordability and reliability remain outstanding problems after prior state broadband investments.
The hearing did not record a committee vote and included no extended rebuttal from utilities or third‑party pole owners in this panel. Barrett asked the committee to consider the bill favorably to allow municipalities to pursue lower‑cost options for residents.
No formal action was taken during this hearing on the broadband bill; Barrett's comments were included during an initial round of witness testimony at the start of the day's agenda.
