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  "description": "Researchers say make-ready expenses could cost up to $4.63 billion nationwide",
  "path": "/utility-pole-costs-a-major-expense-for-bead-broadband-projects/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-14T15:01:25.000Z",
  "site": "https://broadbandbreakfast.com",
  "tags": [
    "Subscribe now"
  ],
  "textContent": "WASHINGTON, May 14, 2026 – A new study warns that utility pole expenses tied to the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program could cost up to $4.63 billion nationwide, potentially straining broadband deployment budgets and delaying projects.\n\nThe report from the Advanced Communications Law & Policy Institute estimates BEAD-funded broadband construction will involve approximately 3.9 million utility-owned poles across 2,053 electric utility service territories, as providers build nearly 188,287 miles of aerial fiber infrastructure.\n\nResearchers said pole-related costs remain one of the largest uncertainties facing the $42.5 billion BEAD program, which was designed to expand broadband access to millions of unserved and underserved locations across the country.\n\n### This post is for subscribers only\n\nBecome a member to get access to all content\n\nSubscribe now",
  "title": "Utility Pole Costs a Major Expense for BEAD Broadband Projects",
  "updatedAt": "2026-05-21T09:47:10.994Z"
}