AT&T has asked the FCC to consider a new One Touch Make Ready (OTMR) rule that would limit the process to routine transfers on existing utility poles.
In an FCC filing (PDF), AT&T said that applying this concept would reduce the possibility that existing services would be interrupted during the OTMR process.
“Limiting OTMR to routine transfer would minimize service disruptions, which are inherent in complex make-ready work such as transfers of wireless equipment and cable splicing,” AT&T said in its filing.
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AT&T goes on to cite how Google Fiber, one of the leading advocates of OTMR, also cautions any make ready process should be done carefully.
“Even Google Fiber, one of the staunchest OTMR advocates, recognizes that ‘existing attachers should have the first opportunity to perform their own make ready, since service outages could affect the businesses,’” AT&T said.
Additionally, any outage could also compromise local and national public safety organizations like the fire and police as well as consumers.
An existing pole attacher, AT&T says, has more experience in handling or finding ways to avoid potential outages in a community.
“While pre-approved contractors can perform make-ready work, existing attachers are in the best position to reduce customer outages because they can best determine how complex make-ready work will adversely impact their service and how to minimize or eliminate that risk,” AT&T said.
An existing attacher that serves public safety agency or national security agency could reroute traffic before an outage caused by a complex transfer or notify these agencies of the time and date of an interruption.