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January 17, 2025

Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
Docketing Division
11th Floor
180 East Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215

Re: Comments on Case No. 24-1056-AU-ORD

Dear Commissioners:

The Buckeye Institute is an independent, nonpartisan think tank that advocates for free-market policies, individual liberty, and limited government.

Broadband internet access significantly drives economic growth, enhances educational opportunities, and promotes the public welfare. The Buckeye Institute supports policies that expand access to broadband, including recent amendments to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) pole attachment rules—and the PUCO should support them, too. 

Excessive fees and lengthy negotiations with utility pole owners often impede broadband infrastructure deployment. The FCC’s recent reforms respond to these concerns by standardizing rates, reducing fees, and setting timelines for pole attachment approvals, which will encourage investment in more broadband projects, especially in rural areas where economic challenges typically deter expansion. 

The FCC’s revised pole attachment rules offer a practical solution to a persistent barrier to broadband expansion. By aligning state policies with the FCC rules, the PUCO can help bridge Ohio’s digital divide and provide all residents with access to high-speed broadband internet.

Sincerely, 

Greg R. Lawson
Research Fellow
The Buckeye Institute