Sep. 6--State regulators have ordered AT&T to get permission from residents and alert municipalities and state transportation officials before installing the refrigerator-size boxes that deliver the company's new U-verse television service to customers.

The steel utility boxes annoyed neighbors and government officials who said they're eyesores and potentially dangerous for drivers who might crash into the utility poles on which they're installed.

A decision issued Friday by the state Department of Public Utility Control said the company must provide the locations of planned boxes to municipalities, and, if they're planned for a state right of way, to the state Department of Transportation.

The DPUC also ordered AT&T to file quarterly reports showing the consent received or objections made by adjoining property owners.

AT&T has viewed opposition to its U-verse boxes as another attempt to slow down the launch of the service, which competes with cable TV by using telephone lines to deliver hundreds of video channels, Internet and digital telephone service.

When AT&T began to roll out U-verse last year, state officials demanded the service be available to all interested households in a service area. But a Superior Court judge in Hartford overruled that decision, allowing AT&T to operate under a new state law designed to promote competition to cable TV companies and lower rates.

The DPUC said in its decision on the U-verse boxes: "AT&T has brought the difficulties onto itself."

"While certain companies are permitted to access the public rights of way, it is a privilege granted to them," the decision said. "This granted privilege also carries with it a high degree of responsibility for the safety of the public."

In its decision, the agency established a committee of AT&T officials, affected municipalities and possibly regional planning agencies to resolve disagreements. AT&T is also required to look into smaller cabinets, remote equipment that would reduce the number of boxes necessary, graffiti removal and other improvements.

Ramona Carlow, president of AT&T Connecticut, said in a statement that she was "pleased" with Friday's decision.

"[The decision] will allow us to continue our effort to expand U-verse and bring competitive video and broadband services to consumers and businesses across Connecticut," she said.

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal praised the DPUC's decision Friday, describing it as a "solid and significant victory for public safety and property owner rights." But he urged the DPUC to take its decision a step further and order the company to retroactively gain permission from municipalities and neighbors for boxes already installed.

Bill Vallee, principal attorney for the state's consumer counsel, said he, too, is urging the DPUC to require retroactive permission from neighbors, some of whom claim they never received notices of the boxes installed near their property. State law requires the company to get permission from adjoining property owners, he said.

"The statute has been on the books since 1949. It's no news," he said.

The DPUC is expected to issue a final decision Sept. 29.

Contact Lynn Doan at ldoan@courant.com.

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