Bill > A186

Introduced Session

This bill directs the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to allow service providers deploying infrastructure providing for broadband telecommunications service with a data transfer speed of at least one gigabit per second to use any pole or post, on or over any highway or any right-of-way, belonging to a public utility or cable television company, for the installation of that infrastructure. The BPU is to prescribe reasonable compensation, as determined upon its review of industry standards, and reasonable terms and conditions for the joint use of the pole or post, provided that the joint use will not result in injury to the owner or other users of the pole or post, right-of-way, or any substantial detriment to the owner's or other users' services. The broadband telecommunications service provider to which the use is permitted is to be liable to the owner or other users of the pole or post for damage to the pole or post owner's or other users' property that may result from the installation of the broadband telecommunications infrastructure. The bill defines "broadband telecommunications service" as any telecommunications service using broadband telecommunications infrastructure for the purpose of offering high speed, switched, broadband wireline or wireless telecommunications capability that enables users to send and receive high-quality voice, data, graphics, or video telecommunications through the Internet and using any technology and with data transfer speeds of at least 25 megabits per second download and at least three megabits per second upload. Further, the bill defines "broadband telecommunications service provider" as a person, company, corporation, unincorporated association, partnership, or professional corporation, which is certified by the BPU, offering broadband telecommunications service directly to the public, or to classes of users as to be effectively available directly to the public, regardless of the facilities used.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Harold Wirths (R)*,  Antwan McClellan (R),  Erik Simonsen (R),  Parker Space (R), 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee (on 01/14/2020)

Official Document