A fight over utility pole upgrades threatens West Virginia’s billion-dollar broadband plan

Aging utility poles are key to state's broadband future

CHARLESTON – Jim Martin was fed up.

A fight over utility pole upgrades threatens West Virginia’s billion-dollar broadband plan

Jim Martin was fed up.  Inside a hearing room, the CEO of Bridgeport-based internet provider CityNet pointed a finger at lawyers for the state’s public utilities. “They’ve held a gun to our heads,” he said, raising his voice. “If they were policing their poles, there would be no extra costs for us.”  Throughout the hours-long hearing at the West Virginia Public Service Commission last week, other internet providers described mounting project del…

West Virginia’s broadband future hangs on aging utility poles. Nobody wants to pay to fix them.

Editor’s Note: This story was originally published by Mountain State Spotlight. Get stories like this delivered to your email inbox once a week; sign up for the free newsletter at mountainstatespotlight.org/newsletter By Tre SpencerMountain State Spotlight Jim Martin was fed up. Inside a hearing room, the CEO of Bridgeport-based internet provider CityNet pointed a finger […]