News
Attorney General praises DPUC decision requiring AT&T to seek permission from adjacent property owners for V-RAD boxes
By Attorney General's office
Sep 5, 2008 - 7:47:51 PM

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal today applauded a Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC) draft decision requiring AT&T to seek consent of property owners and municipalities before installing refrigerator-sized V-RAD boxes for its U-verse television service.

Blumenthal, whose office participated actively in the proceeding, said that he will file comments asking DPUC to order AT&T to also seek retroactive permission from municipalities and property owners for all V-RAD boxes already installed. The draft decision only mandates the company seek consent for existing boxes if the property owner or municipality objected. If property owners object and no agreement is reached, the DPUC would resolve the issues case by case.

Blumenthal noted that state law has long required utilities seek property owner and municipal permission to place equipment in the public right of way, including on private property. The DPUC is only requiring AT&T to follow the same rules as other utilities, he said.

The DPUC’s draft decision also requires the company to more clearly inform consumers of their rights, provide screening and landscaping, promptly remove graffiti and explore possible use of fewer and smaller boxes.

“As an active participant in this case, I commend this V-RAD decision as a solid and significant victory for public safety and property owner rights,” Blumenthal said. “It reflects longstanding, well-established law requiring very specific notice and comment so municipalities and property owners can protect citizens’ safety and rights. We will ask the DPUC to extend the consent requirement retroactively to all adjoining private property owners, not just any who objected.

“There is absolutely no reason that this decision should slow or stop Uverse service statewide. I welcome U-verse because it should benefit consumers by increasing competition, lowering prices and providing greater choice. There should be no delay in deployment if AT&T simply follows this decision and the law. The company should adopt as well the DPUC’s requirement for smaller and fewer boxes, better screening and landscaping, graffiti removal and other best practices industry-wide.

“This contested proceeding and its costs are self-inflicted by the company, as the DPUC correctly comments. My hope is that there now will be collaboration among municipalities and property owners with the company, enabling statewide U-Verse service, and broader consumer benefits.

“I thank the citizens and leaders of Stamford, Bridgeport and Danbury for championing this case, and the DPUC for its thoughtful and practical approach.”

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