Broadband.  Broadband is any service providing advanced telecommunications capability and Internet access with certain transmission speeds.  There are several transmission technologies, some of which require installing fiber optic technology in conduits, which are often located in public rights-of-way similar to other utility infrastructure.
 
In 2019, the Statewide Broadband Office (SBO) was established within the Department of Commerce (Commerce) with a goal of improving affordable, quality broadband within the state.  SBO powers and duties include:

• serving as the central broadband planning body for the state;
• coordinating with relevant parties to develop strategies and plans for deployment of broadband infrastructure;
• reviewing existing broadband initiatives;
• developing and implementing a statewide plan to encourage cost-effective broadband access and increased usage; and
• encouraging public-private partnerships to increase deployment and adoption of broadband services and applications.

 
Highways and Utilities.  The Department of Transportation (WSDOT) issues utility permits and franchises on highway rights-of-way for water, gas, electricity, telephone, and telecommunications at no cost except for recovery of staff labor costs.  Personal wireless service facilities are exempt from the permit and franchise process, but are required to pay fair market value for the lease costs.
 
If a service provider is granted a permit, franchise, or lease by WSDOT and installs infrastructure in the rights-of-way, whether it be underground, at-grade, above grade, or some combination thereof, it is required to follow WSDOT standards for any trenching, pavement restoration, or traffic control.  Service providers are also required to construct and maintain their facilities at their own expense, including relocation if a future WSDOT project requires it.
 
In 2018, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation was directed to issue a regulation—for which rulemaking is still in progress—requiring each state receiving federal-aid highway funds to meet the following requirements:

• identify a broadband utility coordinator to facilitate broadband infrastructure rights-of-way efforts within the state;
• register broadband infrastructure entities that seek to be included in those facilitation efforts;
• establish an electronic process to annually notify broadband infrastructure entities of the state transportation improvement program; and
• coordinate statewide and local telecommunications and land use plans, including strategies to minimize repeated excavations involving the installation of broadband infrastructure in a right-of-way.

The SBO, in consultation with local governments and the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, is directed to create a registration system for broadband providers applying to install broadband infrastructure that provides automatic notice to WSDOT and other broadband service providers applying for permits in the same area so coordination opportunities can be identified.  Locations where broadband infrastructure has been deployed during the previous five years, and where it is planned to be deployed, is added to the list of information to be included in regular reports by Commerce.
 
The SBO is encouraged to collaborate with WSDOT and report biennially on this coordination as part of an existing reporting requirement.  Addressing the growing needs of the transportation system is added as an expected outcome of the SBO's purpose in increasing access to broadband.
 
Prior to construction of any road project that breaks ground, WSDOT must provide at least a 60-day notice to service providers operating within the same county as the project so potential installation of personal wireless service facilities and broadband conduit can be coordinated.  If a service provider responds within 30 days, WSDOT may schedule a consultation, but is not obligated to provide installation.  If notice is given and no providers are ready or able to coordinate, WSDOT may enlist its contractors to install conduit as part of a project to minimize future traffic impacts, support vehicle miles traveled and congestion reduction goals by supporting more telework, and preparing the transportation system for widespread use of autonomous vehicles.  WSDOT may allow nonprofit service providers to install broadband infrastructure in rural or unserved areas at no charge if there is quantifiable benefit to the transportation system and motor vehicle users.
 
Broadband facilities are added to an existing lease process and franchise exemption for construction and maintenance of personal wireless service facilities.  Broadband infrastructure is identified as a critical part of the state's infrastructure, and is thus added as one of the reasons for allowing access to limited-access highway rights-of-way.