Our FCC pole studies focus on determining fair and compliant pole attachment rates, whether calculated at a system-wide or regional level. These studies follow the Federal Communications Commission’s prescribed methodology, which ensures that electric utilities, telecommunications companies, and cable providers are charged equitable rates for shared use of utility poles.
We collect and analyze detailed pole survey data, such as:
- Pole heights, classes, and age profiles
- Attachment counts by entity type (e.g., electric, cable, telecom)
- Average usable space and safety space requirements
- Geographic distribution of poles
We combine this physical data with FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) accounting records, including:
- Investment in poles and related infrastructure
- Administrative and overhead costs
- Carrying charges and tax factors
By integrating field survey results with regulated accounting data, we calculate pole attachment rates that:
- Meet FCC regulatory requirements
- Reflect actual system conditions and costs
- Promote transparency and fairness among all attaching entities
- Support defensible positions in regulatory proceedings or negotiations
The outcome is a data-driven, auditable rate model that balances utility cost recovery with equitable treatment for attachers, reducing the risk of disputes or compliance violations.
