Resources for Broadband Projects
The following resources may be useful for broadband projects, particularly those in the post-engineered construction phase.
Call 8-1-1 Before You Dig
Utility Poles
The following information about utility poles includes pole anatomy and attachments, safety, and inspections. The California Public Utilities Code gives the California Public Utilities Commission the authority to allow public utilities to access all utility poles, and requires investor-owned utilities and incumbent providers to provide telecommunications and cable TV providers with access to their poles. All public utilities must grant each other access to their utility poles, and must set rates, terms, and conditions for access.
Overview and Anatomy of Utility Poles
- A Natural History of the Wooden Utility Pole (CPUC 2017)
- Introduction to Utility Poles (CPUC July 2014)
- Power Distribution 101 - Utility Poles (berkeley.edu)
California Rules
- One-Touch Make-Ready (OTMR):
- Fiber Installation Standards:
- Pole Safety, Fire Safety, and Inspection:
- General Order 95, Section VIII, Rule 80.1 Inspection Requirement for Communications Lines
- CPUC Fire Threat Maps and Fire Safety Rulemaking
- California High Fire Threat Districts
- General Order 165, Table 1, Distribution Inspection Cycles: Schedule for intrusive inspections for wood poles that support only communications facilities but are located in proximity to electric lines in high fire threat areas of California.
Permitting and Right-of-Way
The process of securing an easement or right of way access for broadband deployment requires multiple steps and documents. For utilities to build within existing rights of way in public and private property, it is important to follow each required permitting step for the relevant infrastructure property or property owner to be used in deployment. Typically, these permits are applied for by the service provider (e.g., construction contractors) of the utility and approved by the local jurisdiction when all applicable environmental and other rules are met.
Overviews and Tools
- What is Permitting? (doc.gov) - Securing access to government land
- Permitting Needs Assessment (ntia.gov)
- California Local Jurisdiction Broadband Permitting Playbook (May 2023)
- National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Launches Permitting and Environmental Mapping Tool
Tribal Lands
- Federal: Rights-of-Way on Individually Owned Indian and Tribal Lands | Indian Affairs (bia.gov)
- California: Assembly Bill 52 (AB 52) Tribal Consultation Requirement on Tribal Cultural Resources
Federal Lands
- Federal Permitting Guidance for Infrastructure Deployment and Related BEAD Requirements (ntia.gov)
- NTIA Permitting and Environmental Mapping Tool
- A tutorial on how to use the map is available on the NTIA YouTube channel, here.
State and Locally Owned Lands
- Caltrans: Wired Broadband Facilities on State Highway Right of Way | Caltrans
- California Coastal Commission: Coastal Development Permit Application and Appeal Forms
Environmental Compliance
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires government agencies to consider the environmental consequences of their actions before approving plans and policies or committing to a course of action on a project. The California Public Utilities Commission generally acts as the lead agency for projects the agency funds. Federally funded broadband projects and broadband projects constructed on federally managed public lands must comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) – State and Locally Owned Land
- CEQA Overview and Purpose (Governor’s Office of Planning and Research): CEQA 101 (ca.gov)
- The CPUC is generally lead where the agency funds grants: CPUC CEQA Page
- CPUC CEQA projects: Current Projects (ca.gov)
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) – Federal and Tribal Lands
- National Environmental Policy Act | US EPA
- Guidance on NTIA NEPA Compliance
- NTIA NEPA Procedures and Categorical Exclusions (ntia.gov)
