NC H815

Requires municipalities and electric membership cooperatives to replace utility poles upon request from broadband service providers in unserved areas (defined as lacking 25 Mbps download/3 Mbps upload speeds) and limits reimbursement to only costs incurred solely because of the attachment.

Mandates timely pole access requests following 47 C.F.R. § 1.1411 procedures and allows disputes to be resolved by the Public Utilities Commission within 120 days.

Authorizes counties to provide grants to private and nonprofit broadband service providers for expanding service in unserved areas on a technology-neutral basis, excluding areas already designated for State or federally funded broadband programs.

Prohibits cities from charging wireless providers taxed under G.S. 105-164.4(a)(4c) any fees for small wireless facility collocation, pole installation/modification/replacement, or associated permits and inspections.

Redefines "city utility pole" to include poles owned by cities in the right-of-way that are part of public electric power generation, transmission, or distribution systems and clarifies that electric membership corporations remain exempt from wireless facility requirements.