47 C.F.R. Subpart J—Pole Attachment Complaint Procedures
Title 47 - Telecommunication
Source: 43 FR 36094, Aug. 15, 1978, unless otherwise noted.
The rules and regulations contained in subpart J of this part provide complaint and enforcement procedures to ensure that telecommunications carriers and cable system operators have nondiscriminatory access to utility poles, ducts, conduits, and rights-of-way on rates, terms, and conditions that are just and reasonable. [61 FR 45618, Aug. 29, 1996] (a) The term utility means any person that is a local exchange carrier or an electric, gas, water, steam, or other public utility, and who owns or controls poles, ducts, conduits, or rights-of-way used, in whole or in part, for any wire communications. Such term does not include any railroad, any person that is cooperatively organized, or any person owned by the Federal Government or any State. (b) The term pole attachment means any attachment by a cable television system or provider of telecommunications service to a pole, duct, conduit, or right-of-way owned or controlled by a utility. (c) With respect to poles, the term usable space means the space on a utility pole above the minimum grade level which can be used for the attachment of wires, cables, and associated equipment, and which includes space occupied by the utility. With respect to conduit, the term usable space means capacity within a conduit system which is available, or which could, with reasonable effort and expense, be made available, for the purpose of installing wires, cable and associated equipment for telecommunications or cable services, and which includes capacity occupied by the utility. (d) The term complaint means a filing by a cable television system operator, a cable television system association, a utility, an association of utilities, a telecommunications carrier, or an association of telecommunications carriers alleging that it has been denied access to a utility pole, duct, conduit, or right-of-way in violation of this subpart and/or that a rate, term, or condition for a pole attachment is not just and reasonable. (e) The term complainant means a cable television system operator, a cable television system association, a utility, an association of utilities, a telecommunications carrier, or an association of telecommunications carriers who files a complaint. (f) The term respondent means a cable television system operator, a utility, or a telecommunications carrier against whom a complaint is filed. (g) The term State means any State, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or any political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof. (h) For purposes of this subpart, the term telecommunications carrier means any provider of telecommunications services, except that the term does not include aggregators of telecommunications services (as defined in 47 U.S.C. 226) or incumbent local exchange carriers (as defined in 47 U.S.C. 251(h)). (i) The term conduit means a structure containing one or more ducts, usually placed in the ground, in which cables or wires may be installed. (j) The term conduit system means a collection of one or more conduits together with their supporting infrastructure. (k) The term duct means a single enclosed raceway for conductors, cable and/or wire. (l) With respect to poles, the term unusable space means the space on a utility pole below the usable space, including the amount required to set the depth of the pole. (m) The term attaching entity includes cable system operators, telecommunications carriers, incumbent and other local exchange carriers, utilities, governmental entities and other entities with a physical attachment to the pole, duct, conduit or right of way. It does not include governmental entities with only seasonal attachments to the pole. (n) The term inner-duct means a duct-like raceway smaller than a duct that is inserted into a duct so that the duct may carry multiple wires or cables. [43 FR 36094, Aug. 15, 1978, as amended at 52 FR 31770, Aug. 24, 1987; 61 FR 43024, Aug. 20, 1996; 61 FR 45618, Aug. 29, 1996; 63 FR 12024, Mar. 12, 1998; 65 FR 31281, May 17, 2000; 66 FR 34580, June 29, 2001] (a) A utility shall provide a cable television system or any telecommunications carrier with nondiscriminatory access to any pole, duct, conduit, or right-of-way owned or controlled by it. Notwithstanding this obligation, a utility may deny a cable television system or any telecommunications carrier access to its poles, ducts, conduits, or rights-of-way, on a non-discriminatory basis where there is insufficient capacity or for reasons of safety, reliability and generally applicable engineering purposes. (b) Requests for access to a utility's poles, ducts, conduits or rights-of-way by a telecommunications carrier or cable operator must be in writing. If access is not granted within 45 days of the request for access, the utility must confirm the denial in writing by the 45th day. The utility's denial of access shall be specific, shall include all relevant evidence and information supporting its denial, and shall explain how such evidence and information relate to a denial of access for reasons of lack of capacity, safety, reliability or engineering standards. (c) A utility shall provide a cable television system operator or telecommunications carrier no less than 60 days written notice prior to: (1) Removal of facilities or termination of any service to those facilities, such removal or termination arising out of a rate, term or condition of the cable television system operator's of telecommunications carrier's pole attachment agreement; (2) Any increase in pole attachment rates; or (3) Any modification of facilities other than routine maintenance or modification in response to emergencies. (d) A cable television system operator or telecommunications carrier may file a “Petition for Temporary Stay” of the action contained in a notice received pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section within 15 days of receipt of such notice. Such submission shall not be considered unless it includes, in concise terms, the relief sought, the reasons for such relief, including a showing of irreparable harm and likely cessation of cable television service or telecommunication service, a copy of the notice, and certification of service as required by §1.1404(b). The named respondent may file an answer within 7 days of the date the Petition for Temporary Stay was filed. No further filings under this section will be considered unless requested or authorized by the Commission and no extensions of time will be granted unless justified pursuant to §1.46.5. (e) Cable operators must notify pole owners upon offering telecommunications services. [61 FR 45618, Aug. 29, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 12025, Mar. 12, 1998] Effective Date Note: At 63 FR 12025, Mar. 12, 1998, §1.1403 was amended by revising the heading and adding new paragraph (e). The added text contains information collection and recordkeeping requirements and will not become effective until approval has been given by the Office of Management and Budget. (a) The complaint shall contain the name and address of the complainant, name and address of the respondent, and shall contain a verification (in the form in §1.721(b)), signed by the complainant or officer thereof if complainant is a corporation, showing complainant's direct interest in the matter complained of. Counsel for the complainant may sign the complaint. Complainants may join together to file a joint complaint. Complaints filed by associations shall specifically identify each utility, cable television system operator, or telecommunications carrier who is a party to the complaint and shall be accompanied by a document from each identified member certifying that the complaint is being filed on its behalf. (b) The complaint shall be accompanied by a certification of service on the named respondent, and each of the Federal, State, and local governmental agencies that regulate any aspect of the services provided by the complainant or respondent. (c) In a case where it is claimed that a rate, term, or condition is unjust or unreasonable, the complaint shall contain a statement that the State has not certified to the Commission that it regulates the rates, terms and conditions for pole attachments. The complaint shall include a statement that the utility is not owned by any railroad, any person who is cooperatively organized or any person owned by the Federal Government or any State. (d) The complaint shall be accompanied by a copy of the pole attachment agreement, if any, between the cable system operator or telecommunications carrier and the utility. If there is no present pole attachment agreement, the complaint shall contain: (1) A statement that the utility uses or controls poles, ducts, or conduits used or designated, in whole or in part, for wire communication; and (2) A statement that the cable television system operator or telecommunications carrier currently has attachments on the poles, ducts, conduits, or rights-of-way. (e) The complaint shall state with specificity the pole attachment rate, term or condition which is claimed to be unjust or unreasonable. (f) In any case, where it is claimed that a term or condition is unjust or unreasonable, the claim shall specify all information and argument relied upon to justify said claim. (g) For attachments to poles, where it is claimed that either a rate is unjust or unreasonable, or a term or condition is unjust or unreasonable and examination of such term or condition requires review of the associated rate, the complaint shall provide data and information in support of said claim. (1) The data and information shall include, where applicable: (i) The gross investment by the utility for pole lines; (ii) The investment in crossarms and other items which do not reflect the cost of owning and maintaining poles, if available; (iii) The depreciation reserve from the gross pole line investment; (iv) The depreciation reserve from the investment in crossarms and other items which do not reflect the cost of owning and maintaining poles, if available; (v) The total number of poles: (A) Owned; and (B) Controlled or used by the utility. If any of these poles are jointly owned, the complaint shall specify the number of such jointly owned poles and the percentage of each joint pole or the number of equivalent poles owned by the subject utility; (vi) The total number of poles which are the subject of the complaint; (vii) The number of poles included in paragraph (g)(1)(vi) of this section that are controlled or used by the utility through lease between the utility and other owner(s), and the annual amounts paid by the utility for such rental; (viii) The number of poles included in paragraph (g)(1)(vi) of this section that are owned by the utility and that are leased to other users by the utility, and the annual amounts paid to the utility for such rental; (ix) The annual carrying charges attributable to the cost of owning a pole. These charges may be expressed as a percentage of the net pole investment. With its pleading, the utility shall file a copy of the latest decision of the state regulatory body or state court which determines the treatment of accumulated deferred taxes if it is at issue in the proceeding and shall note the section which specifically determines the treatment and amount of accumulated deferred taxes. (x) The rate of return authorized for the utility for intrastate service. With its pleading, the utility shall file a copy of the latest decision of the state regulatory body or state court which establishes this authorized rate of return if the rate of return is at issue in the proceeding and shall note the section which specifically establishes this authorized rate and whether the decision is subject to further proceedings before the state regulatory body or a court. In the absence of a state authorized rate of return, the rate of return set by the Commission for local exchange carriers shall be used as a default rate of return; (xi) The average amount of usable space per pole for those poles used for pole attachments (13.5 feet may be in lieu of actual measurement, but may be rebutted); (xii) The average amount of unusable space per pole for those poles used for pole attachments (a 24 foot presumption may be used in lieu of actual measurement, but the presumption may be rebutted); and (xiii) Reimbursements received from CATV operators and telecommunications carriers for non-recurring costs. (2) Data and information should be based upon historical or original cost methodology, insofar as possible. Data should be derived from ARMIS, FERC 1, or other reports filed with state or federal regulatory agencies (identify source). Calculations made in connection with these figures should be provided to the complainant. The complainant shall also specify any other information and argument relied upon to attempt to establish that a rate, term, or condition is not just and reasonable. (h) With respect to attachments within a duct or conduit system, where it is claimed that either a rate is unjust or unreasonable, or a term or condition is unjust or unreasonable and examination of such term or condition requires review of the associated rate, the complaint shall provide data and information in support of said claim. (1) The data and information shall include, where applicable: (i) The gross investment by the utility for conduit; (ii) The accumulated depreciation from the gross conduit investment; (iii) The system duct length or system conduit length and the method used to determine it; (iv) The length of the conduit subject to the complaint; (v) The number of ducts in the conduit subject to the complaint; (vi) The number of inner-ducts in the duct occupied, if any. If there are no inner-ducts, the attachment is presumed to occupy one-half duct. (vii) The annual carrying charges attributable to the cost of owning conduit. These charges may be expressed as a percentage of the net linear cost of a conduit. With its pleading, the utility shall file a copy of the latest decision of the state regulatory body or state court which determines the treatment of accumulated deferred taxes if it is at issue in the proceeding and shall note the section which specifically determines the treatment and amount of accumulated deferred taxes. (viii) The rate of return authorized for the utility for intrastate service. With its pleading, the utility shall file a copy of the latest decision of the state regulatory body or state court which establishes this authorized rate of return if the rate of return is at issue in the proceeding and shall note the section which specifically establishes this authorized rate and whether the decision is subject to further proceedings before the state regulatory body or a court. In the absence of a state authorized rate of return, the rate of return set by the Commission for local exchange carriers shall be used as a default rate of return; and (ix) Reimbursements received by utilities from CATV operators and telecommunications carriers for non-recurring costs. (2) Data and information should be based upon historical or original cost methodology, insofar as possible. Data should be derived from ARMIS, FERC 1, or other reports filed with state or federal regulatory agencies (identify source). Calculations made in connection with these figures should be provided to the complainant. The complainant shall also specify any other information and argument relied upon to attempt to establish that a rate, term, or condition is not just and reasonable. (i) With respect to rights-of-way, where it is claimed that either a rate is unjust or unreasonable, or a term or condition is unjust or unreasonable and examination of such term or condition requires review of the associated rate, the complaint shall provide data and information in support of said claim. The data and information shall include, where applicable, equivalent information as specified in paragraph (g) of this section. (j) If any of the information and data required in paragraphs (g), (h) and (i) of this section is not provided to the cable television operator or telecommunications carrier by the utility upon reasonable request, the cable television operator or telecommunications carrier shall include a statement indicating the steps taken to obtain the information from the utility, including the dates of all requests. No complaint filed by a cable television operator or telecommunications carrier shall be dismissed where the utility has failed to provide the information required under paragraphs (g), (h) or (i) of this section, as applicable, after such reasonable request. A utility must supply a cable television operator or telecommunications carrier the information required in paragraph (g), (h) or (i) of this section, as applicable, along with the supporting pages from its ARMIS, FERC Form 1, or other report to a regulatory body, within 30 days of the request by the cable television operator or telecommunications carrier. The cable television operator or telecommunications carrier, in turn, shall submit these pages with its complaint. If the utility did not supply these pages to the cable television operator or telecommunications carrier in response to the information request, the utility shall supply this information in its response to the complaint. (k) The complaint shall include a brief summary of all steps taken to resolve the problem prior to filing. If no such steps were taken, the complaint shall state the reason(s) why it believed such steps were fruitless. (l) Factual allegations shall be supported by affidavit of a person or persons with actual knowledge of the facts, and exhibits shall be verified by the person who prepares them. (m) In a case where a cable television system operator or telecommunications carrier claims that it has been denied access to a pole, duct, conduit or right-of-way despite a request made pursuant to section 47 U.S.C. §224(f), the complaint shall be filed within 30 days of such denial. In addition to meeting the other requirements of this section, the complaint shall include the data and information necessary to support the claim, including: (1) The reasons given for the denial of access to the utility's poles, ducts, conduits and rights-of-way; (2) The basis for the complainant's claim that the denial of access is improper; (3) The remedy sought by the complainant; (4) A copy of the written request to the utility for access to its poles, ducts, conduits or rights-of-way; and (5) A copy of the utility's response to the written request including all information given by the utility to support its denial of access. A complaint alleging improper denial of access will not be dismissed if the complainant is unable to obtain a utility's written response, or if the utility denies the complainant any other information needed to establish a prima facie case. [43 FR 36094, Aug. 15, 1978, as amended at 44 FR 31649, June 1, 1979; 45 FR 17014, Mar. 17, 1980; 52 FR 31770, Aug. 24, 1987; 61 FR 43025, Aug. 20, 1996; 61 FR 45619, Aug. 29, 1996; 63 FR 12025, Mar. 12, 1998; 65 FR 31282, May 17, 2000; 65 FR 34820, May 31, 2000] Effective Date Note 1: At 63 FR 12025, Mar. 12, 1998, §1.1404 was amended by redesignating paragraphs (g)(12) and (h) through (k) as (g)(13) and (k) through (n) and adding new paragraphs (g)(12) and (h) through (j). The added text contains information collection and recordkeeping requirements and will not become effective until approval has been given by the Office of Management and Budget.
Effective Date Note 2: At 65 FR 31282, May 17, 2000, §1.1404 was amended by removing paragraph (k), redesignating paragraphs (l), (m), and (n) as (k), (l), and (m), respectively, and revising paragraphs (g), (h), and the third sentence of paragraph (j). The revised text contains information collection and recordkeeping requirements and will not become effective until approval has been given by the Office of Management and Budget. Each complaint which appears to be essentially complete under §1.1404 will be accepted and assigned a file number. Such assignment is for administrative purposes only and does not necessarily mean that the complaint has been found to be in full compliance with other sections in this subpart. Petitions for temporary stay will also be assigned a file number upon receipt. [44 FR 31650, June 1, 1979] (a) The complaint shall be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction in any case where a suitable certificate has been filed by a State pursuant to §1.1414 of this subpart. Such certificate shall be conclusive proof of lack of jurisdiction of this Commission. A complaint against a utility shall also be dismissed if the utility does not use or control poles, ducts, or conduits used or designated, in whole or in part, for wire communication or if the utility does not meet the criteria of §1.1402(a) of this subpart. (b) If the complaint does not contain substantially all the information required under §1.1404 the Commission may dismiss the complaint or may require the complainant to file additional information. The complaint shall not be dismissed if the information is not available from public records or from the respondent utility after reasonable request. (c) Failure by the complainant to respond to official correspondence or a request for additional information will be cause for dismissal. (d) Dismissal under provisions of paragraph (b) of this section above will be with prejudice if the complaint has been dismissed previously. Such a complaint may be refiled no earlier than six months from the date it was so dismissed. [43 FR 36094, Aug. 15, 1978, as amended at 44 FR 31650, June 1, 1979] (a) Respondent shall have 30 days from the date the complaint was filed within which to file a response. Complainant shall have 20 days from the date the response was filed within which to file a reply. Extensions of time to file are not contemplated unless justification is shown pursuant to §1.46. Except as otherwise provided in §1.1403, no other filings and no motions other than for extension of time will be considered unless authorized by the Commission. The response should set forth justification for the rate, term, or condition alleged in the complaint not to be just and reasonable. Factual allegations shall be supported by affidavit of a person or persons with actual knowledge of the facts and exhibits shall be verified by the person who prepares them. The response, reply, and other pleadings may be signed by counsel. (b) The response shall be served on the complainant and all parties listed in complainant's certificate of service. (c) The reply shall be served on the respondent and all parties listed in respondent's certificate of service. (d) Failure to respond may be deemed an admission of the material factual allegations contained in the complaint. [44 FR 31650, June 1, 1979] (a) An original and three copies of the complaint, response, and reply shall be filed with the Commission. (b) All papers filed in the complaint proceeding must be drawn in conformity with the requirements of §§1.49, 1.50 and 1.52. (a) In its consideration of the complaint, response, and reply, the Commission may take notice of any information contained in publicly available filings made by the parties and may accept, subject to rebuttal, studies that have been conducted. The Commission may also request that one or more of the parties make additional filings or provide additional information. Where one of the parties has failed to provide information required to be provided by these rules or requested by the Commission, or where costs, values or amounts are disputed, the Commission may estimate such costs, values or amounts it considers reasonable, or may decide adversely to a party who has failed to supply requested information which is readily available to it, or both. (b) The complainant shall have the burden of establishing a prima facie case that the rate, term, or condition is not just and reasonable or that the denial of access violates 47 U.S.C. §224(f). If, however, a utility argues that the proposed rate is lower than its incremental costs, the utility has the burden of establishing that such rate is below the statutory minimum just and reasonable rate. In a case involving a denial of access, the utility shall have the burden of proving that the denial was lawful, once a prima facie case is established by the complainant. (c) The Commission shall determine whether the rate, term or condition complained of is just and reasonable. For the purposes of this paragraph, a rate is just and reasonable if it assures a utility the recovery of not less than the additional costs of providing pole attachments, nor more than an amount determined by multiplying the percentage of the total usable space, or the percentage of the total duct or conduit capacity, which is occupied by the pole attachment by the sum of the operating expenses and actual capital costs of the utility attributable to the entire pole, duct, conduit, or right-of-way. (d) The Commission shall deny the complaint if it determines that the complainant has not established a prima facie case, or that the rate, term or condition is just and reasonable, or that the denial of access was lawful. (e) When parties fail to resolve a dispute regarding charges for pole attachments and the Commission's complaint procedures under Section 1.1404 are invoked, the Commission will apply the following formulas for determining a maximum just and reasonable rate: (1) The following formula shall apply to attachments to poles by cable operators providing cable services. This formula shall also apply to attachments to poles by any telecommunications carrier (to the extent such carrier is not a party to a pole attachment agreement) or cable operator providing telecommunications services until February 8, 2001: (2) Subject to paragraph (f) of this section the following formula shall apply to attachments to poles by any telecommunications carrier (to the extent such carrier is not a party to a pole attachment agreement) or cable operator providing telecommunications services beginning February 8, 2001: (3) The following formula shall apply to attachments to conduit by cable operators and telecommunications carriers: simplified as: If no inner-duct is installed the fraction, “1 Duct divided by the No. of Inner-Ducts” is presumed to be (f) Paragraph (e)(2) of this section shall become effective February 8, 2001 (i.e., five years after the effective date of the Telecommunications Act of 1996). Any increase in the rates for pole attachments that results from the adoption of such regulations shall be phased in over a period of five years beginning on the effective date of such regulations in equal annual increments. The five-year phase-in is to apply to rate increases only. Rate reductions are to be implemented immediately. The determination of any rate increase shall be based on data currently available at the time of the calculation of the rate increase. [43 FR 36094, Aug. 15, 1978, as amended at 52 FR 31770, Aug. 24, 1987; 61 FR 43025, Aug. 20, 1996; 61 FR 45619, Aug. 29, 1996; 63 FR 12025, Mar. 12, 1998; 65 FR 31282, May 17, 2000; 66 FR 34580, June 29, 2001] If the Commission determines that the rate, term, or condition complained of is not just and reasonable, it may prescribe a just and reasonable rate, term, or condition and may: (a) Terminate the unjust and unreasonable rate, term, or condition; (b) Substitute in the pole attachment agreement the just and reasonable rate, term, or condition established by the Commission; and (c) Order a refund, or payment, if appropriate. The refund or payment will normally be the difference between the amount paid under the unjust and/or unreasonable rate, term, or condition and the amount that would have been paid under the rate, term, or condition established by the Commission from the date that the complaint, as acceptable, was filed, plus interest. [44 FR 31650, June 1, 1979] The Commission may decide each complaint upon the filings and information before it, may require one or more informal meetings with the parties to clarify the issues or to consider settlement of the dispute, or may, in its discretion, order evidentiary procedures upon any issues it finds to have been raised by the filings. If the respondent fails to obey any order imposed under this subpart, the Commission on its own motion or by motion of the complainant may order the respondent to show cause why it should not cease and desist from violating the Commission's order. (a) If any person willfully fails to obey any order imposed under this subpart, or any Commission rule, or (b) If any person shall in any written response to Commission correspondence or inquiry or in any application, pleading, report, or any other written statement submitted to the Commission pursuant to this subpart make any misrepresentation bearing on any matter within the jurisdiction of the Commission, the Commission may, in addition to any other remedies, including criminal penalties under section 1001 of Title 18 of the United States Code, impose a forfeiture pursuant to section 503(b) of the Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. 503(b). (a) If the Commission does not receive certification from a state that: (1) It regulates rates, terms and conditions for pole attachments; (2) In so regulating such rates, terms and conditions, the state has the authority to consider and does consider the interests of the subscribers of cable television services as well as the interests of the consumers of the utility services; and, (3) It has issued and made effective rules and regulations implementing the state's regulatory authority over pole attachments (including a specific methodology for such regulation which has been made publicly available in the state), it will be rebuttably presumed that the state is not regulating pole attachments. (b) Upon receipt of such certification, the Commission shall give public notice. In addition, the Commission shall compile and publish from time to time, a listing of states which have provided certification. (c) Upon receipt of such certification, the Commission shall forward any pending case thereby affected to the state regulatory authority, shall so notify the parties involved and shall give public notice thereof. (d) Certification shall be by order of the state regulatory body or by a person having lawful delegated authority under provisions of state law to submit such certification. Said person shall provide in writing a statement that he or she has such authority and shall cite the law, regulation or other instrument conferring such authority. (e) Notwithstanding any such certification, jurisdiction will revert to this Commission with respect to any individual matter, unless the state takes final action on a complaint regarding such matter: (1) Within 180 days after the complaint is filed with the state, or (2) Within the applicable periods prescribed for such final action in such rules and regulations of the state, if the prescribed period does not extend beyond 360 days after the filing of such complaint. [43 FR 36094, Aug. 15, 1978, as amended at 44 FR 31650, June 1, 1979; 50 FR 18659, May 5, 1985] The Commission may issue such other orders and so conduct its proceedings as will best conduce to the proper dispatch of business and the ends of justice. (a) A utility that engages in the provision of telecommunications services or cable services shall impute to its costs of providing such services (and charge any affiliate, subsidiary, or associate company engaged in the provision of such services) an equal amount to the pole attachment rate for which such company would be liable under this section. (b) The costs of modifying a facility shall be borne by all parties that obtain access to the facility as a result of the modification and by all parties that directly benefit from the modification. Each party described in the preceding sentence shall share proportionately in the cost of the modification. A party with a preexisting attachment to the modified facility shall be deemed to directly benefit from a modification if, after receiving notification of such modification as provided in subpart J of this part, it adds to or modifies its attachment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a party with a preexisting attachment to a pole, conduit, duct or right-of-way shall not be required to bear any of the costs of rearranging or replacing its attachment if such rearrangement or replacement is necessitated solely as a result of an additional attachment or the modification of an existing attachment sought by another party. If a party makes an attachment to the facility after the completion of the modification, such party shall share proportionately in the cost of the modification if such modification rendered possible the added attachment. [61 FR 43025, Aug. 20, 1996; 61 FR 45619, Aug. 29, 1996] (a) With respect to the formula referenced in §1.1409(e)(2), a utility shall apportion the cost of providing unusable space on a pole so that such apportionment equals two-thirds of the costs of providing unusable space that would be allocated to such entity under an equal apportionment of such costs among all attaching entities. (b) All attaching entities attached to the pole shall be counted for purposes of apportioning the cost of unusable space. (c) Utilities may use the following rebuttable presumptive averages when calculating the number of attaching entities with respect to the formula referenced in §1.1409(e)(2). For non-urbanized service areas (under 50,000 population), a presumptive average number of attaching entities of three (3). For urbanized service areas (50,000 or higher population), a presumptive average number of attaching entities of five (5). If any part of the utility's service area within the state has a designation of urbanized (50,000 or higher population) by the Bureau of Census, United States Department of Commerce, then all of that service area shall be designated as urbanized for purposes of determining the presumptive average number of attaching entities. (d) A utility may establish its own presumptive average number of attaching entities for its urbanized and non-urbanized service area as follows: (1) Each utility shall, upon request, provide all attaching entities and all entities seeking access the methodology and information upon which the utilities presumptive average number of attachers is based. (2) Each utility is required to exercise good faith in establishing and updating its presumptive average number of attachers. (3) The presumptive average number of attachers may be challenged by an attaching entity by submitting information demonstrating why the utility's presumptive average is incorrect. The attaching entity should also submit what it believes should be the presumptive average and the methodology used. Where a complete inspection is impractical, a statistically sound survey may be submitted. (4) Upon successful challenge of the existing presumptive average number of attachers, the resulting data determined shall be used by the utility as the presumptive number of attachers within the rate formula. [63 FR 12026, Mar. 12, 1998, as amended at 66 FR 34581, June 29, 2001] Effective Date Note: At 63 FR 12026, Mar. 12, 1998, §1.1417 was added. The section contains information collection and recordkeeping requirements and will not become effective until approval has been given by the Office of Management and Budget. With respect to the formulas referenced in §1.1409(e)(1) and §1.1409(e)(2), the space occupied by an attachment is presumed to be one (1) foot. The amount of usable space is presumed to be 13.5 feet. The amount of unusable space is presumed to be 24 feet. The pole height is presumed to be 37.5 feet. These presumptions may be rebutted by either party. [66 FR 34581, June 29, 2001]
Title 47: Telecommunication
PART 1—PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
Subpart J—Pole Attachment Complaint Procedures
§ 1.1401 Purpose.
§ 1.1402 Definitions.
§ 1.1403 Duty to provide access; modifications; notice of removal, increase or modification; petition for temporary stay; and cable operator notice.
§ 1.1404 Complaint.
§ 1.1405 File numbers.
§ 1.1406 Dismissal of complaints.
§ 1.1407 Response and reply.
§ 1.1408 Number of copies and form of pleadings.
§ 1.1409 Commission consideration of the complaint.
§ 1.1410 Remedies.
§ 1.1411 Meetings and hearings.
§ 1.1412 Enforcement.
§ 1.1413 Forfeiture.
§ 1.1414 State certification.
§ 1.1415 Other orders.
§ 1.1416 Imputation of rates; modification costs.
§ 1.1417 Allocation of Unusable Space Costs.
§ 1.1418 Use of presumptions in calculating the space factor.
