Rochester Hills approves EZ Fiber Metro Act permit amid resident questions about multiple underground conduits

At its July 7 meeting the Rochester Hills City Council approved a Metro Act bilateral right-of-way permit authorizing EZ Fiber Texas LLC to install underground fiber infrastructure in the city. The permit, handled under the state Metro Act and reviewed by city right-of-way staff, passed on a unanimous voice vote.

DPS staff and the city's right-of-way coordinator described the process for Metro Act applications and said the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) oversees and typically approves new broadband providers because state and federal policy favor broader broadband competition. "The Public Service Commission has the authority in Michigan," said a staff member involved in the review, adding that the state generally seeks to keep pathways open for competition. DPS staff also noted EZ Fiber planned underground conduit in this application, which the city and several councilmembers said they preferred to aerial attachments to utility poles.

Councilmembers expressed practical concerns about resident confusion and future conduit capacity. Councilmember Erin Mangioli asked how residents will know which carrier to contact and whether a consumer could use one provider's underground fiber if another company later offered retail service. DPS staff said the situation varies by business model; some providers install infrastructure and also offer retail service, while others build network assets that can be leased or sold. "It's advantageous to residents of the state because it generates competition," staff said in explaining the PSC's approach, and the city receives limited administrative permit fees but may benefit from small per-mile payments reported to the state.

Councilmembers asked staff to study a strategic approach to multiple new providers, conduit capacity, and the visual impact of aerial installations, and to research whether the city could secure additional local revenue. "If they're willing to go to the financial expense to do that, I think that's best for the community to have it underground," said Mister Fritz of DPS, supporting underground installation for reduced visual clutter. Councilmember John Blair noted the Federal Communications Commission'maintained national goals for broadband deployment and pointed attendees to the FCC'hosted National Broadband Map to compare available options at specific addresses.

The council resolution authorizes Mayor Brian Barnett to sign the bilateral Metro Act right-of-way permit with EZ Fiber; the permit was approved by voice vote with no recorded dissent. Councilmembers asked staff to return with recommendations on how the city can make availability and pricing clearer to residents, how to track multiple underground conduits, and whether additional contractual protections or higher local fees are possible under state rules.