“Dig Once” Rule Requiring Fiber Deployment is finally set to become Law

A “Dig Once” measure that requires fiber conduit installation during many federally funded road projects was passed yesterday by the US House of Representatives and is expected to pass the Senate. US Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) first submitted Dig Once legislation in 2009 and has periodically resubmitted the legislation in the years since, she said during yesterday’s floor debate. The Dig Once policy “mandates the inclusion of broadband conduit—plastic pipes which house fiber-optic communications cable—during the construction of any road receiving federal funding,”