ISE Magazine, February 2019

FEBRUARY 2019 WWW ISEMAG COM 39 JOINT USE Faster broadband deployment has been a request of many organizations companies consumers and the FCC for some time With the new OTMR policy swift deployment is no longer a pipe dream OTMR requires timelines and deadlines by all parties for almost every part of the joint use process Further the order provides an opportunity to reduce pole attachment rental rates which helps attaching companies to get to the poles faster and invite new players to the race The FCC order puts the responsibility on all parties to make sure the process is efficient and effective That includes Asset Owners Attachers Contractors A Well Defined Process Like most things in life OTMR is what we make of it With the new timelines reduced costs and rules provided by the FCC the policy offers a defined process for the joint use community to adhere to If all companies are working on the same deadlines and timetables while complying with OTMR Based Regime the process will begin to run itself The accelerated schedule requires many adjustments but the changes can be made in an efficient logical way With the proper approach successful deployment can be handled safely and without damaging existing equipment One way to get there is to appoint qualified approved contractors to perform the make ready work Below are 5 recommendations taken from the FCC order that define a qualified contractor 1 Follow the asset owners published safety and operational guidelines if they are available Otherwise the contractor must follow National Electrical Safety Code NESC guidelines 2 Follow licensed engineered pole designs for make ready work if the utility requires it 3 Follow all local state and federal laws and regulations including the Occupational Safety and Health Administrations rules regarding Qualified and Competent Persons 4 Meet all safety and reliability thresholds set and made available by the asset owner such as those pertaining to past safety violations or worksite accidents 5 Be adequately insured or establish an adequate performance bond for all make ready work the person will perform If the asset owner has specific contractor concerns not covered by this list it may add its own but they must be clearly spelled out The FCC encourages asset owners to develop their own list of approved contractors If the owner does not supply a list the attacher may select contractors using the FCC requirements and any additional wishes established by the owner The order also established the requirements that new attachers must meet to ensure the other parties have an opportunity to inspect completed make ready work The minutiae of OTMR is what seems so overwhelming to businesses that are required to follow OTMR protocol How do professionals continue with their business as usual tasks while simultaneously taking expansive time to transition