CHARLESTON — A proposed database to keep track of pole attachments as utility companies and internet service providers fight over the costs of pole replacements to expand broadband across the state could cost as much as $8 million.

The West Virginia Broadband Office and the state Broadband Enhancement Council filed a report with the Public Service Commission on Thursday on what would be needed to create a comprehensive pole attachment database.

The PSC issued an order on June 27 establishing requirements for a pole attachment database and ordering the Broadband Enhancement Council to create and operate the database, contingent on whether funding could be acquired for the database.

The council was given 90 days to inform the PSC whether funding had been obtained. If not, a Pole Attachmen

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