NC H762

Creates the "Close the Digital Gap Act of 2015" to expand broadband access to underserved areas of North Carolina, addressing a gap where 35% of rural residents lack advanced broadband compared to 4% in urban areas.

Directs the North Carolina Utilities Commission to issue requests for proposals and execute contracts for a Universal Broadband Smart Meter program that combines smart meter deployment with broadband infrastructure to households, funded through energy savings achieved by the smart meter systems.

Eliminates several regulatory restrictions on city-owned communications service providers, including requirements to stay within city limits, comply with cost accounting rules, and provide nondiscriminatory access to competitors' use of city rights-of-way and poles.

Authorizes the Department of Transportation to install telecommunications conduits in state highway rights-of-way in counties where less than 50% of households have access to high-speed data, with construction costs recovered through leasing to private telecommunications companies.

Requires the Department of Transportation to report by May 1, 2016, and annually thereafter on progress implementing the conduit installation program and identifying statutory or regulatory barriers to implementation.