New regulations would push utility companies to expand broadband internet access across the state under a plan announced Wednesday by Gov. Ned Lamont.
Lamont said he would introduce legislation with new broadband rules during the 2021 regular session of the Connecticut General Assembly.
Among other provisions, the new regulations would allow the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to require internet service providers to provide access to all residents where they have video licenses. The companies would also be required to report metrics on availability, download and upload speeds and outages.
PURA would also gain oversight over complaints about internet access from residential and business customers and gain new powers to manage penalties for non-compliance.
The utility permitting process would be adjusted to reduce time and costs to install broadband internet access in utility poles and pole owners would be held accountable to issue permits in a timely manner.
The New England Cable & Telecommunications Association responded with a statement asserting that the state’s broadband network is already strong thanks to $2 billion in investments by cable companies over the last seven years. Although not directly addressing Lamont’s proposal, the statement focused on the cable companies’ efforts to provide service to underserved communities and plans for expanding technologies like 5G and 10G.
“Connecticut has a world-class network that even during the pandemic, was ready and able to handle the surge from working, learning, streaming and connecting at home,” said NECTA President Timothy Wilkerson. “The upgrades and investments to build this great broadband system is not a one-time event, it’s an evolution that will continue through decades.”
Lamont said the new rules would help bridge the digital divide at a time that fast and reliable internet access was more important than ever.
“Thousands of people in our state do not have access to what has now become an essential utility,” Lamont said in a statement. “Unless we address our unserved broadband challenges in our urban, suburban, and rural areas, we will not have equitable access for all and achieve the economic recovery that we need.”