Editor's Note: Permitting Consistency Needed to Ease Broadband Builds

As the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program funding allocations are issued, executing broadband build plans is ever-pressing for communities across the U.S. Many are seeking to cooperate with partners and create a long-term vision of connectivity. But getting local permits approved to access rights of way and utility pole attachments remains a key barrier.

Cheri Beranek, CEO of Clearfield, says permitting delays can inhibit competitors in high-density areas. “The first fiber in gets the best chance to get the customer,” she says. “The permitting process stands in the way or has the potential of choosing [which entities are] the winners and losers.”

Avoiding Damages

Broadband builders should be cautious to not disturb existing utilities. The Common Ground Alliance (CGA) is driving awareness of this process. Earlier this year, the CGA issued its “50 in 5” challenge, calling for the damage prevention industry to reduce damage by 50 percent by 2028. The CGA encourages the industry to focus on three areas: consistent use of 811; excavator practices; and accurate, timely location of utilities.

Sarah Magruder Lyle, president and CEO of the CGA, says all utility stakeholders need to buy in, particularly as providers seek to meet aggressive broadband build timelines.

“There’s a competitive edge to get there first, which sometimes means more utility line locators are needed,” she says. “We must address and mitigate the risk.”

Calling for Coordination

Even when providers get suitable markers, another barrier they face when trying to expand broadband is a lack of permitting coordination.

Marissa Mitrovich, vice president of public policy for the Fiber Broadband Association, says that though permitting is getting more attention, the process hasn’t evolved much over the past decade.

“It’s no secret [the U.S.] permitting system is dysfunctional,” she says. “It is the cause of too many Americans not having high-speed access today, which hurts [the] economy because people remain either unserved or underserved.”

If the U.S. wants to reach long-term broadband goals, coordination to prioritize processing permits is essential. With many communities feeling left behind in the broadband race, the need for consistent permitting to enable faster, more effective network buildouts is obvious. The bottom line: Communities with friendlier, consistent permitting structures in place will be able to retain and attract new residents and businesses.

Sean Buckley

Sean Buckley is the editor-in-chief of Broadband Communities. You can contact him at sean@bbcmag.com.