3.18.2026 Cable and Broadband Internet Commission

The City of Portsmouth, New Hampshire Cable and Broadband Internet Commission met on March 18, 2026, to discuss various topics related to telecommunications infrastructure and broadband deployment. Key procurement-related discussions included updates on franchise fee payments from PMTV, permitting processes for small cell wireless facilities, and the development of a comprehensive communications infrastructure code. The commission reviewed federal and state regulatory frameworks, zoning and right-of-way management, and the challenges of coordinating infrastructure deployment with utility companies such as Eversource. They also discussed potential incentives for fiber deployment, the importance of conduit sharing, and the need for updated ordinances to facilitate broadband expansion while ensuring community aesthetics and legal compliance. No specific contract awards or vendor selections were reported, but the meeting focused heavily on policy and procedural groundwork that could impact future procurement and infrastructure projects.