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Communications Attachments

Information on pole attchments

Pole Attachment Services manages all existing and future foreign utility communication attachments to Rhode Island Energy (RIE) facilities.

The links provide more information including attachment procedures and specifications.

Image of an electrical pole with communication space attatchments

A joint-ownership agreement exists between RIE and Verizon New England (NE). When RIE and Verizon NE are attached to the same pole, that pole is considered jointly owned between both companies. Approximately 94% of all distribution poles in Rhode Island are jointly owned between RIE and Verizon NE.

RIE reserves the right to refuse any attachments that would pose a risk to both the health and safety of the public and/or our employees.

All communications attachments fall within one of the following categories joint ownership, third-party attachments, or wireless/antenna attachments.

Communication attachment categories

A joint-ownership agreement exists between RIE and Verizon New England (NE). When RIE and Verizon NE are attached to the same pole, that pole is considered jointly owned between both companies. For all proposed attachments on RIE poles that are jointly owned by Verizon NE, a separate signed license agreement must be entered into with Verizon NE. All Verizon NE specifications and licensing requirements must be followed in addition to RIE’s requirements. Please contact Verizon NE for details.

Joint Ownership applies to RIE’s relationship with Rhode Island’s Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (ILEC), Verizon NE.

  • Verizon NE owns their own poles when RIE is not attached
  • All poles with both RIE and Verizon NE facilities are considered jointly owned
  • Joint ownership allows both pole owners to mutually occupy an area without multiple separate pole lines
  • Verizon NE always occupies the lowest cable positions in the Communication Space on a pole

RIE Specification 17 – Joint Use Overhead Construction Standard (pdf) details the specific location on the pole where Verizon NE places its attachments.

For more information, please contact poleattachmentservices@rienergy.com