Joint Use
Joint use refers to a contractual agreement in which two or more companies, municipalities, or public and private entities share space on a utility pole
What Is Joint Use?
In a typical joint use operation, a primary asset owner, such as an electric power provider, will own the utility pole or other field asset and rent space out to various attachers, including telecommunications cable companies (CATV), broadband internet and wireless providers.
Based on federal and local regulations, asset owners divide the pole into three predetermined zones: the supply zone, the safety zone, and the communications zone. Attachers are responsible for maintaining the equipment they attach to their assigned section.
Joint use is a common utility structure because it allows multiple entities to deliver services to the public. A comprehensive joint use asset management system can help facilitate the constant coordination needed to sustain effective joint use operations. Asset owners can use the system to access data on individual poles, while attachers can submit requests for joint use. The system creates an up-to-date, audit-ready trail, while creating communication channels for easy collaboration.
FAQ
Yes, Alden ONE is an advanced joint use asset management and business process automation SaaS platform that streamlines joint use operations and increases collaboration between key stakeholders. Asset owners and attachers use Alden ONE to strengthen joint use communication to keep work moving on schedule and within regulatory timeframes.
A permit to attach or attachment permit, is legally binding approval from an asset owner that allows an attacher to attach equipment or cables to a given utility pole or set of poles. A joint use permit to attach or attachment permitting request typically includes various application fees, make-ready estimates and contract terms.
A joint use pole audit is when an internal inspection group with a utility or a third-party contractor inspects a utility pole or, more typically, a geographic area of field assets to ensure attachments follow agreed-upon terms, compliance requirements, and utility laws. To avoid lapses in plant safety, asset owners and attachers must work together to maintain regulatory compliance, such as NESC, and internal operational asset management projects.
