ILECs, Competitors Continue to Spar Over UNE Forbearance; Some Cite Coronavirus
ILECs failed to prove ending their avoided cost resale of unbundled networks would "speed the deployment of advanced networks," Incompas replied, in filings posted through Monday in docket 19-308. The CLEC group wants the FCC to refrain from forbearance (see…
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2002060006). USTelecom wants the FCC to implement its proposal to eliminate "outdated and unnecessary unbundling regulations" that had required incumbent LECs to open their networks to competitors, it said. The record "strongly supports eliminating UNE DS1 and DS3 loops in all price cap areas," AT&T said. The forbearance proposal would hurt CLECs' ability to compete, said the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates. "Eliminating CLEC access to the DS1 and DS3 loops would impair the ability of CLECs to serve all customers in an area, and cause customers to lose important competitive options." Since comments were filed Feb. 5, "the coronavirus has elevated considerations of public safety to an even greater importance," the Michigan Internet and Telecommunications Alliance said. "Commission use of data that is widely recognized as flawed for determining access to DS0 loops would not constitute sound policy decision-making," CLEC Sonic Telecom said. The FCC "cannot simply transplant findings and analysis from the Business Data Services ('BDS') proceeding to this one," said Uniti Fiber.