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Timing

This webinar series comprises two (2) live Zoom courses, from 1 - 3:30 p.m. ET on January  15 and 22, 2026. There will be one 5-min break per webinar. 

Unable to make the live sessions? Recordings will be made available (automatically to those who register) within a week after the last session takes place, though continuing education credits can only be provided for attending live events.

Delivery Method / Learning Environment

This webinar series is a Group Internet based offering (via Zoom) and combines real-time presentation, polling questions, real-world examples, Q&A, and group discussion.

Course Overview

As broadband deployment accelerates and third-party access to utility infrastructure becomes more complex, public power utilities must navigate an evolving landscape of pole attachment policies, regulations, and operational challenges. This two-part webinar series is designed to equip utility professionals with the foundational knowledge and forward-looking insights needed to manage pole attachments effectively and strategically. Webinars can be purchased individually, or together for a discounted rate. Each webinar takes place from 1 – 3:30 p.m. ET.

 

Recordings will be made available (automatically to those who register) within a week after the last session takes place, though continuing education credits can only be provided for attending live events.

 

Who Should Attend

This webinar series is designed for professionals across public power utilities who manage, oversee, or support pole attachment processes including:

  • Utility managers and engineers involved in infrastructure planning and maintenance

  • Legal and regulatory staff navigating compliance, contracts, and FCC rules

  • Finance and billing teams handling attachment fees and cost recovery

  • IT and GIS specialists supporting asset tracking and mapping

  • External affairs and communications staff engaging with attachers and stakeholders

  • Municipal leaders and policymakers interested in broadband expansion and utility coordination

Course Level / Prerequisites / Advance Preparation

  • Basic Level: No prerequisite knowledge of pole attachment or advance preparation needed, however, the course will also seek to update and build upon the knowledge of all participants.  

    Technology Requirements

    • Zoom Meeting Application: Attendees are required to have strong Internet access, in order to run the Zoom meeting platform.

    • Audio/Webcam: You will need to enable computer audio to listen and speak (alternatively a call-in number will be provided) and we recommend a webcam, so you can fully engage in the group discussions.

    • Additional details on the Zoom platform can be found under the “More Information” tab.

    Accreditation

    The following continuing education credits will be provided for this Group Internet based event, after successfully completing 90% of the live sessions. Review the guidelines for successful completion in the “Accreditation” dropdown below.

    • Recommended CEUs .1/PDHs 1.5 (total for each session)

    Instructor

    sean stove headshotSean Stokes represents clients nationally on a wide range of communications matters, including broadband, cable television, wireless communications, right-of-way management, pole attachments, barriers to community broadband initiatives, and public-private partnerships. He counsels clients in developing and negotiating agreements involving access to poles, ducts, conduits, dark fiber, and towers. He has represented municipal utilities, electric cooperatives, investor-owned utilities, and local governments in complex negotiations developing city-wide fiber-to-the-home networks and wireless small cell siting agreements. He has also assisted in the creation of public-private broadband consortia seeking federal and state broadband funding.

    Sean has advised clients in numerous cases involving complex factual, legal, and policy issues, multiple parties, and large amounts in controversy. His clients include national and state utility associations, municipal leagues, and numerous public and private entities throughout the United States (U.S.). He collaborates with multi-disciplinary teams of legal, financial, engineering, and other technical experts, assisting clients in making comprehensive telecommunications and broadband plans.

    Sean has authored numerous industry publications and is the principal author of an extensive guidebook and a model pole attachment agreement for the American Public Power Association (APPA), which assists approximately 2,000 public power utilities. He is frequently invited to speak at industry conferences and has recently presented on topics such as community broadband, small cell, pole attachments, and public-private partnerships.

    Questions?

Individual Webinar Information

Part 1: Pole Attachments 101 - Pole Attachment Basics for Public Power  (January 15)

Pole attachments are a critical yet often complex aspect of utility operations—especially as broadband expansion and third-party access demands continue to grow. This introductory webinar is designed to help public power utilities build a solid foundation in pole attachment policies, processes, and best practices. 

Topics

  • The role of pole attachments in utility infrastructure and broadband deployment

  • The current federal pole attachment structure and rules, including key FCC regulations

  • How and to what extent federal rules apply to public power utilities

  • The relationship between pole access and broadband deployment, and why it matters

  • Common types of attachers and how to manage requests

  • Essential elements of pole attachment agreements

  • Strategies for tracking, billing, and maintaining compliance

Whether you're new to pole attachments or looking to refresh your understanding, this webinar will equip you with the knowledge needed to navigate the basics confidently and effectively.

 

Part 2: Pole Attachments 201 - The Current Pole Attachment Environment  (January 22)

As broadband deployment accelerates and infrastructure demands evolve, pole attachments remain a hot-button issue for public power utilities. This advanced session builds on foundational knowledge to explore the latest developments, emerging challenges, and strategic considerations shaping the pole attachment landscape today. 

Topics

  • Emerging trends and current issues in pole attachment policy and utility practice

  • Overview of pending federal legislation and FCC initiatives, including the Fourth FNPRM and HR 278 – Broadband Leadership Act

  • Historical and current treatment of Section 253, including the FCC’s pending Notice of Inquiry (NOI)

  • Impacts of the FCC Small Cell Order and related litigation

  • Hot topics around rates, make-ready timelines, cost allocation, and speed to deployment

  • Pole replacement challenges and evolving expectations from attachers and regulators

  • How changes in federal policy are influencing utility practices and best practices in pole attachment management

This webinar is ideal for utility professionals who already manage or support pole attachment processes and want to stay ahead of policy shifts, on-going and anticipated pole attachment request, funding pressures, and operational demands.

Registration

Registration Fees

Registration is for individual access. If you have multiple people interested in attending, group discounts are available. 

Registration FeesMember*
Pole Attachment Bundle (2 webinars) - Save $50! $300
- Pole Attachments 101 (January 15)$175
- Pole Attachments 201 (January 22)$175
*Nonmembers pay double the member rate 

Registration Help

Check out our Registration FAQs for answers to the most common questions and help with all your registration-related issues. 

Cancellations /No-Show/ Refunds/ Substitutions

All webinars will be recorded and attendees will automatically receive a copy of the recordings, in case you can’t attend live.

Registrants who cancel in writing at least 7 days in advance of the first webinar in the series are entitled to a refund of their registration fee, minus a $100 cancellation fee. Registrants who cancel after that will not receive a refund, but attendee substitutions will be allowed for this event only. Registrants and no-shows who do not cancel at least 7 days before the course start date are responsible for the full registration fee and are not entitled to a refund. 

  • Pole Attachments Two-Part Series: Cancellations must be received on/before January 8.

    • Pole Attachments 101: Cancellations must be received on/before January 8.

    • Pole Attachments 201: Cancellations must be received on/before January 15.

Cancellation requests should be made through your My.PublicPower portal, or addressed to: Registration@PublicPower.org.

Questions?

Accreditation

Earn While You Learn!

Participate in virtual programs to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and Professional Development Hours (PDHs). 

Requirements for Successful Completion: Virtual

  • Registration is for individual access, so each person participating must register. If you have multiple people interested in attending, group discounts are available.
  • Individuals are required to attend and actively participate in 90% of each live session and complete an online evaluation after the last session in a course.
    • Attendance: Individuals must attend at least 90% of each live session (based on electronic timestamps in Zoom).
    • Participation: Active participation in class will include engagement activities such as: polling/check-in questions, and Kahoot quizzes (tracked electronically). There will also be small group breakout sessions, in-class exercises, and Q&A sessions.
    • Activities vary by class: Information on participation will be provided the day before (and during) class. Participation is tracked electronically.
    • Online evaluation: Each person must complete an online evaluation after the course concludes
  • Partial credit cannot be given for partial attendance.
  • Attendance is monitored by an APPA staff member during the event, through an online report log, and upon review of the post-event evaluation data.
  • Completion certificates will be available within two weeks of the last session in a live event (for those who meet the requirements) through your APPA member portal (access instructions will be provided).
  • Virtual sessions are recorded (attendees automatically receive access to recordings within a week of the last session), though continuing education credits can only be given for attending live events. Recordings will be accessible for 90 days after the last session.

Guidelines for Group Participation in Virtual Events

  • If a group is participating in a conference room together, we recommend each person still logs in individually from a laptop to ensure attendance and participation requirements are met (as noted above).
  • If individual log in is not possible, the organization must designate one person as the main point of contact. Email Academy@PublicPower.org in advance of the virtual event noting this information
    • This person will record attendance in the room in the room (we can provide a sample attendance tracker) and ensure attendance and participation from the group throughout.
    • Submit the attendance record to APPA within 2 business days of the conclusion of a virtual event.
    • Ensure each person fills out the required online evaluation.

What educational credits are available?

You can earn the following kinds of continuing education credits for attending live sessions — provided the following requirements are met:

IACET logoContinuing Education Units (CEUs): The American Public Power Association is accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and is authorized to issue the IACET CEU. For information regarding certification status, attendance requirements, and obtaining attendee transcripts, contact Academy@PublicPower.org. Verify our IACET Accreditation.

Professional Development Hours (PDHs): The American Public Power Association’s educational practices are consistent with the criteria for awarding Professional Development Hours (PDHs) as established by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). Course eligibility and number of PDHs may vary by state.

Questions? 

Additional Information

Format and Log-In Information

These webinars will be offered on the Zoom meeting platform. 

Communication

  • 24 hours after registering: You’ll receive a confirmation email within 24 hours of registering, which contains some preliminary information.
  • 24 hours before: You’ll receive your Zoom log in link the day before the first session in a course (sent from the APPA Academy’s Zoom account <no-reply@zoom.us>)
    • You’ll also receive a final logistics email 24 hours in advance of the first class.
  • If you don’t receive this correspondence, email Academy@PublicPower.org

Course Access and Materials

  • Zoom Links: Zoom log in credentials will be sent out 24 hours before the start of the first session.
  • Course Materials: Attendees will receive access to course materials the day before each session through the "Documents" section of their My.PublicPower.org user portal.
  • Recordings: All sessions will be recorded and can be accessed through your user portal as well (within a week of the last class in the program), in case you can’t attend the live versions. Recordings will be accessible for 90 days after the last session. Note: Continuing education credits can only be issued for attending live sessions.

Technology Requirements

  • Zoom Meeting Application: Attendees are required to have strong Internet access, in order to run the Zoom meeting platform. Please see below for more information on downloading the Zoom Web Client.
  • Audio/Webcam: You will need to enable computer audio to listen and speak (alternatively a call-in number will be provided) and you will also need a webcam, so you can fully engage in the small group breakout sessions and group discussions.  
  • Padlet Site: The instructor will also utilize a Padlet site to provide additional resources and post after-session assignments.

New to Zoom?

If you haven't participated in a Zoom meeting before, please download the Zoom web client from the Zoom Download Center. This will enable you to access all of the Zoom tools and functionality vs. using the web version. Then, visit Zoom.us/test to ensure you are able to join a meeting. 

If you are not able to download the Zoom web client, you can still participate via your Internet browser. We recommend using Chrome for the best results.

Privacy and Security

The American Public Power Association takes your privacy and security very seriously. For this reason, we have put the following security measures in place for this course:

  • Each course has a random Meeting ID
  • Meeting is password-protected
  • Enabled waiting room to screen meeting participants
  • Screen sharing restricted to hosts only

Questions?