AT&T and Current Communications Settle Dispute over Current`s plans to use power lines for broadband !!!

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AT&T, Current settle utility pole dispute

Internet provider to notify phone company of installation plans

11:04 PM CST on Tuesday, November 21, 2006
By CRAYTON HARRISON / The Dallas Morning News

A dispute that threatened to delay a new kind of broadband Internet service in Texas has been resolved, putting the provider back on track toward launching service in the Dallas area.

AT&T Inc. said Tuesday that it has settled its argument with Current Communications Group Inc., which wants to offer high-speed Internet services over TXU Corp.'s power lines.

AT&T plans to drop a lawsuit against Current, and Current will withdraw a complaint against AT&T at the Texas Public Utility Commission, said AT&T spokesman Kerry Hibbs.

Current spokeswoman Melissa Kresse confirmed details of the settlement.

Earlier this month, AT&T obtained a temporary restraining order to prevent Current from installing equipment on AT&T- owned utility poles. San Antonio-based AT&T was concerned about the location of the equipment and whether it violated safety standards.

In the settlement, Current agreed to notify AT&T in advance which poles it planned to use, Mr. Hibbs said.

Current told AT&T it has installed equipment on 520 poles along 23 miles in the University Park and Highland Park areas, Mr. Hibbs said. Ms. Kresse said the company had no comment on those figures.

The settlement allows Current to work toward its goal of offering broadband over TXU's power lines.

Next month, the company expects to offer diagnostic services to TXU's electric delivery unit. It's not clear when Current plans to begin offering broadband access to consumers.

In its PUC complaint, Current had accused AT&T, which also offers broadband service, of stifling competition.

"This was never about competition," Mr. Hibbs said. "It really was about trespassing and breach of contract."

TXU's electric delivery unit and Current announced their plans for the broadband service in late 2005.

Privately held Current, based in Maryland, is paying for the enhancements to the grid. Dallas-based TXU is paying Current $150 million over 10 years and bought a small, undisclosed stake in the company in May.

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