Legislation proposed in Tennessee would double the rates internet providers pay utilities to connect fiber optic cables to utility poles, making Tennessee's rates over 5 times the national average of $7 and higher than any other state. The bill would increase Tennessee's annual pole rent from the current average of $7 nationally to $33.33 per pole, far exceeding any other state and potentially slowing the expansion of broadband access in the state.

1. ANOTHER RACE TO THE TOP
Legislation proposed by Sen. Bo Watson and Rep. Jimmy Matlock (HB1111,
SB1222) would double the rates Tennessee’s private internet providers pay
government utilities to connect fiber optic cables to utility poles.
It would drive Tennessee’s rates an astonishing two times higher than any
other state in America, and almost five times higher than the national average
of $7.
Is this a race to the top that Tennessee really wants to win?
Here’s how wildly out of step Tennessee will be with the nation if this legislation
becomes law:
Average Annual Pole Rent – Tennessee vs. other states
$33.33
$7.00
Average Annual Pole Rent – Tennessee vs. United States