An urgent need to tackle the nation's digital divide has reignited a debate over the cost of attaching broadband equipment to existing utility poles. For years, co-ops have allowed access to their poles, relieving telecoms of the burden of building their own systems. But recently, for-profit companies have asked state legislators to shift costs to electric co-op consumer-members.

Hear from East Central Oklahoma Electric Cooperative General Manager Tim Smith and NRECA's Brian O'Hara as co-ops work to negotiate fair agreements on pole attachments in their states.

Find out more about LiveWire, NRECA's video series. Questions or story suggestions? Email Kate.Tillotson@nreca.coop.