“The clarity provided by this statewide policy and potential savings will fuel this new deployment in rural and unserved areas.” “Addressing these pole attachments adds a necessary tool to the state’s toolbox that moves the needle on an issue that’s challenging the state,” said Michael Power, a lobbyist and executive director for the Georgia Cable Association. The General Assembly has passed bills allowing EMCs to offer internet service and to map areas in need of internet, but legislators haven't spent tax money on internet construction.Ĭable companies say reducing the costs of using EMCs’ poles will finally bring funding to help build internet lines. Georgia politicians often say internet is almost as critical as electricity in small communities, where many EMCs were created as a way to bring power and phone service to far-flung regions. With professionals and children cooped up at home during the coronavirus pandemic, internet is more important than ever for businesses, hospitals, farmers and students. “They haven’t gone into those areas because it’s not a profitable business case for them.” “Pole attachment fees are not why they haven’t gone into those areas,” said Chellie Phillips, a spokeswoman for Coweta-Fayette EMC, which has 72,000 members across several counties southwest of Atlanta. And EMCs doubt that the legislation is much more than a handout to the cable companies. Comcast has pledged to expand its network to 20,000 households in rural areas over the next three years if the bill passes.īut there’s no requirement in the bill that cable companies would use their fee savings to expand rural internet service. Supporters of the proposal say cable companies will build internet in rural areas if it costs them less money.

Explore Fast, rural internet to be built by Middle Georgia power companies The legislation, House Bill 244, would reduce the amount EMCs can charge cable companies to use their power poles. A bill that recently passed the Georgia House would effectively take money from electric membership corporations and give it to cable companies.

Coweta fayette emc internet