PROOF NEEDED, NOT PROMISES, THAT AT&T IS FOLLOWING THE LAW

NHRegister.com: "State seeks locations of U-verse cabinets
By Luther Turmelle, North Bureau Chief

HARTFORD — State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is asking state utility regulators to require AT&T to identify the location of about 2,000 equipment cabinets on utility polls that are part of the company’s U-verse system.

Some communities have complained that the refrigerator-sized cabinets are eyesores and may be a safety risk.

Blumenthal made his request in a formal motion filed Wednesday, one day after the Department of Public Utility Control issued a ruling requiring AT&T to get municipal approval before it installs any of the equipment cabinets — known as V-RAD (video ready access device) boxes — on utility polls.
The ruling also requires the company to go back and obtain the necessary approvals for those boxes that have already been installed, including getting approvals from adjacent property owners."

“The DPUC must rely on proof, not promises, that AT&T is following the law,” Blumenthal said.

PROPERTY OWNERS WIN AGAINST AT&T

AT&T Hits State Roadblock In U-Verse Box Installation -- -- Courant.com: "AT&T must get the permission of abutting landowners and municipalities before it can install utility boxes for its new U-verse television service, the Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control said in a decision released Tuesday.

The telecommunications giant has been installing the refrigerator-sized boxes in areas where U-verse, which competes with cable TV, is available.

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal had filed complaints with the DPUC saying state law requires consent from abutting property owners when modifications are made to the public right-of-way."

OVER 100 GODZILLA BOXES SLATED FOR MISSION VIEJO

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/city-public-existing-2047531-internet-ordinance: "MISSION VIEJO – The City Council on Monday updated an ordinance outlining procedures that utilities and communications companies must follow when they apply for permits and install equipment in the public right-of-way.

Changes to the ordinance are essentially an enhanced meet-and-confer process and more detailed development standards, said City Attorney Bill Curley.

An agenda document states the urgency ordinance was needed because it will eliminate potential delays in the processing of permit applications from companies that would provide vital services to the public.
The update to an existing city law was developed with representatives from the city and AT&T, who gave a short presentation during the Council meeting.

Mark Leslie, AT&T vice president of external affairs in San Diego, told the council about the company's plan to apply for permits to build street-level cabinets in Mission Viejo — part of an effort to improve Internet service.

AT&T plans to push fiber-optic cables within 3,000 to 5,000 feet of many existing neighborhoods and new developments, said Leslie. The company is investing up to $1 billion in California for a service that would enhance video and voice over the Internet service, as well as high speed Internet access. The upgraded network would connect to existing copper lines into homes.

Leslie estimated that the upgrade requires placing about 107 new street-level cabinets in the public right-of-way.

Right-of-ways include public streets, medians, parkways, or other areas used for travel by vehicles, pedestrians or horses."