Existing attachment customers who have questions related to attachments, billing, or contract related items may find answers through the information represented below.
Managing Your Applications
Attachment applications should be accessed through our Online Application Management System. Using the online system, attachers will be able to submit new applications, track application status and access all data collected during the application review process.
If you have any questions or issues using the online system, please use the contact us link on the main page of the application system.
Maps of Existing Facilities
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Step 1: Submit map request to PPL
(Customer)
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Step 2: Determine number of maps and issues invoice
(PPL)
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Step 3: Pay invoice
(Customer)
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Step 4: Generate maps for customer
(PPL)
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Step 5: Issue electronic maps to customer
(PPL)
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At the request of an existing attachment company, PPL Electric Utilities can generate facility maps for all attachments on our facilities. We charge a fee of $40 per map to recover the cost of generating the maps. If you are interested in purchasing maps of your current facilities, please send us an e-mail containing the following information:
- Company Name and Attacher Code
- Contact Name
- E-mail address to deliver maps
- Billing Address for Invoice
- Specific County and Municipality or All attachments
Once payment has been received, we'll send the maps via an electronic file which can be viewed and plotted by the attacher.
Types of Billing
Joint-Use
Joint-use attachments are defined by the agreement between PPL Electric Utilities and foreign utility pole owners. All rates under Joint Use agreements are determined in the Joint Use contract and are negotiated periodically. Typically these rates are determined by the FCC on a per pole basis.
Third-Party
Third-party attachment billing includes any communications attachment that is occupying a certain percentage of usable space on a PPL Electric Utilities facility. These rates are billed per attachment and are determined annually by the FCC.
Underground
Underground attachments billing includes annual billing which is based on occupancy of PPL Electric Utilities-owned underground facilities. This includes both manhole and duct facilities. The rates are determined by the percentage of usable space that the foreign utility occupies and are typically billed on a per foot basis. The attaching company is responsible for all costs associated with performing an engineering review of all applications regardless of whether access is granted. Payment is required for this engineering review before customer will be allowed to occupy our underground facilities.
Make Ready Engineering
All applicants who are applying to occupy PPL Electric Utilities overhead facilities are responsible for all engineering charges associated with evaluating the necessary clearance for new attachments. These bills are issued when either PPL Electric Utilities make ready construction work is not required or the customer has decided to cancel an active application. In the event that make ready work is not required, the customer must pay the engineering invoice before receiving a permit to attach.
Unauthorized Attachments
In order to maintain reliability across our system, we actively monitor our poles for attachments who did not apply to attach to our poles. When an unauthorized attachment is identified, we'll notify the unauthorized communications company of the attachment and issue a bill for the unauthorized attachment. This bill must be paid, and either the attachment removed, or new application submitted to add the unauthorized attachment to our database. The attaching company is still required to follow the attachment process for the respected type of attachment, and pay any fees associated with providing adequate clearance for the attachment.
How to Read an Invoice
PPL Electric Utilities recently upgraded their work management system. As a result, all invoices appear to be similar but there are several key pieces of information that help identify the specifics of the invoice.
Annual Pole Rental Invoices
All CATV, Telephone, Telecom and Utility Companies are billed on an annual basis. Public and private attachment companies are billed annually based on their contract inception date. These invoices are identified as Rent for Attachments. The number of attachments, agreement number and period covered are shown in the lower portion of the description section of the invoice.
Unauthorized Attachment Invoices
All new and existing customers are required to contact PPL Electric Utilities prior to attaching to company poles. Failure to do so will allow us to charge an unauthorized attachment fee. These unauthorized attachments are picked up during on-going field surveys. These invoices will be identified as Unauthorized Attachment Fee.
Make Ready Invoices
Make ready invoices can be identified by the line items on the invoice. There will typically be two line items: Make Ready Engineering and Make Ready Construction. If no construction is required, only the engineering line item will be on the invoice. The specific make ready job number is identified at the bottom of the invoice in the following format:
42099999 – MR – 999 - Joes Cable – App 998978 – WO# 4209999
PPL Work Order # - MR – Company Code – Company – Application # - Word Order #
Manhole Invoices
Manhole invoices are identified with a description of the work performed (e.g. manhole support) and include accounting, associated work order(s) and timeline on when the work was performed.
Underground (annual)
There are two types of undergound invoices: annual billing/new installation requests. Invoices identify what they are for and include: description, accounting, associated work order(s) and timeline.
Questions
Each of the contracts with our attaching companies is unique. Use our Contact Us form if you have contract-related inquiries or any questions about invoicing.