BRISTOL, Tenn. — Brightspeed has filed a lawsuit against the city of Bristol, Tennessee, claiming the city is illegally blocking its efforts to expand high-speed fiber internet service by demanding an “unjust and punitive” right-of-way fee.

In a complaint filed Wednesday in Sullivan County Circuit Court, the company said Bristol is seeking to charge $0.25 per linear foot for use of public rights-of-way. Based on Brightspeed’s construction plans, the fee would cost the company more than $442,000 annually, according to the company.

Brightspeed argues the fee is not tied to any actual costs the city incurs and is being applied selectively. The city-owned utility, Bristol Tennessee Essential Services, does not pay right-of-way fees, which Brightspeed says gives BTES an unfair advantage in th

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