One-Touch Make Ready (OTMR)
Expedite the third-party attachment process with OTMR.
One-Touch Make Ready (OTMR) is a process that has been adopted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to expedite the pole attachment process for telecommunications companies to gain access to utility company-owned poles more quickly.
OTMR Applications and Requirements
In contrast to the longer traditional pole attachment method, the OTMR model emphasizes the “simple” make ready work located within the utility pole communications space while allowing for preliminary engineering design that does not impact the power space to begin before a formal application is submitted. OTMR is not an acceptable method if make ready work is required within the power space or if pole replacements are required, and are therefore treated as “complex” poles.
FCC Order 18-111 was implemented on May 20, 2019. Please see the FCC’s Third Report Order and Declaratory Ruling released on August 3, 2018 for full details.
UGI Utilities, Inc. Contractor Requirements for One-Touch Applications
- The requesting attachment company must first have a signed contract with UGI Utilities, Inc. prior to any application submissions. If the requesting attacher does not already have a signed contract, click here to complete the Third-Party Attachment Agreement Request form.
- A requesting attacher must use the following approved contractors to complete the OTMR field survey work: Davey Resource Group: (207) 944-0493
- A requesting attacher must use one of the following approved contractors to complete the OTMR construction within the communications space:
Asplundh – 631-831-4047
Agostino – 267-718-7045
Matrix – 609-462-2135
IB Abel – 717-430-1346
Kuharchik – 570-654-3391
UGI Utilities, Inc. OTMR Requirements
- Applications submitted under OTMR must be submitted using the UGI Katapult portal and One-Touch Make Ready must be selected in the Application Type. *If a user clicks on the link who has never used it before, the software will automatically prompt the user to create a user account. A new attachment company needs to create their Company within our UGI portal and can contact Katapult Pro Support for any issues.
- Approved survey and design contractors must utilize Katapult Pro software tools to collect field data including all measurements, pole height, existing facilities, clearances, and mid-span measurements. A more complete data set will allow for timely review of applications without additional follow-up.
- Applications must identify poles that are “No Make-Ready Required”, “Simple Make Ready” (communications space only), and “Power Make Ready” (power space and pole replacements).
- All submitted OTMR applications will include a Pole Loading Analysis for each pole location. If an application has Pole Loading issues, it will not qualify for OTMR.
- Applications may be bifurcated, meaning an application may include No Make Ready, Simple Make Ready, and Power Make Ready and do not need to be submitted separately. However, all Power Make Ready must be completed before Simple Make Ready can begin and the applicant starts attaching to facilities.
- Non-cable or fiber communication attachments, such as antenna installations, do not qualify for OTMR.
- Any new attacher with an active OTMR application shall provide advanced notice to existing facilities owners and UGI Utilities, Inc. to allow all impacted companies to be present when the field survey work is completed. This may also be coordinated using Katapult’s Virtual Ride Out (VRO) feature utilizing Katapult Pro survey photos.
- The survey work must be reviewed and certified by a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Pennsylvania.
- If the UGI Utilities, Inc. review and design contractor is different from the approved OTMR survey contractor chosen by the requesting attacher, an additional per pole rate will be applied to all OTMR poles within the application.
- For all poles within the submitted application requiring Power Space Make Ready, UGI Utilities, Inc. will invoice the requesting attacher separately.
- Requesting attacher must provide 15-day written notice to UGI Utilities, Inc. and all existing facilities owners prior to beginning construction activities. (Once Power Make Ready is completed.) The written notice will including the following:
- The date and time of the Simple Make Ready construction work.
- A description of the Make Ready work involved.
- The name of the construction contractor chosen by the new attacher completing the make ready work.
- Once construction is completed, the new attacher must provide written notice to UGI Utilities, Inc. within 15-days.
- UGI Utilities, Inc. may complete a post-construction inspection (PCI) to ensure all UGI Utilities, Inc. construction specifications are met and that no NESC violations exist as a result of the new attachment.
- Any violations must be corrected by the new attachment company within 14-days of the notice of violation at their expense. This includes any property damage or damage to existing facilities.
- Substandard, negligent, or bad faith conduct, or failure to comply with UGI Utilities, Inc. requirements for OTMR may prohibit the new attacher from using the OTMR process in future applications.