FFB Week 3 – Breaking Barriers: Tackling Pole Attachment Challenges to Expand Rural Broadband

Join Gary Bolton for this week’s episode featuring Annie Stroud, Broadband Director Generation West Virginia. Drawing upon her experience with fiber deployment in West Virginia, Annie will discuss the complexities of deploying broadband in rural areas and, specifically, the challenges related to pole attachment that are delaying broadband expansion in the state. She will share how organizations like Generation WV are helping to close the digital divide by addressing these issues and ensuring that federal and state funding – like the $1.2 billion allocated under the BEAD program -effectively connects unserved communities. The conversation will also touch on innovative approaches, such as state task forces and rapid response mediation teams, to overcome regulatory and logistical barriers, minimize delays, and control costs when connecting rural areas.

With Special Guest:

Annie Stroud Broadband Program Director