FCC Sides With Broadband Provider In Pole Replacement Cost Dispute

On February 5, 2026, in its first decision under the new accelerated docket for pole attachment disputes, the Federal Communications Commission found that electric utility, Appalachian Power Company ("APCO"), a subsidiary of Ohio-based AEP, violated FCC rules by charging Comcast the full cost of replacing poles with preexisting violations of safety or engineering standards.

The dispute began when Comcast sought to attach to thousands of APCO poles needed for rural broadband fiber-optic deployments in Virginia associated with the state's Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment ("BEAD") program. APCO demanded that Comcast pay the full costs associated with replacing poles that already were not up to code, subject only to potential partial refunds. In July 2025, Comcast filed a request for review with the FCC's Rapid Broadband Assessment Team ("RBAT"), alleging that APCO's pole replacement policy violated Section 224 of the Communications Act and the FCC's rules.