Deny USTelecom UNE Petition, Incompas CEO Urges O’Rielly, Citing 'Race to 5G,'

Citing the U.S. "race to 5G," Incompas wants the FCC to "deny USTelecom’s petition" on unbundled network elements forbearance (see 1905060025), Incompas CEO Chip Pickering and a representative from Allstream told Commissioner Mike O'Rielly. "Networks being built using unbundled network elements as a bridge to fiber support 5G, in addition to gigabit-speed broadband service to small businesses and residential users," Incompas wrote, posted Tuesday in dockets including 18-141. It said companies using UNEs as such a bridge "are building more fiber in the areas they operate than either the incumbent or cable." A USTelecom spokesperson emailed Wednesday that its senior vice president-advocacy and regulatory affairs “Patrick Halley’s most recent blog and filing on Monday reinforces the policy rationale and facts supporting USTelecom’s UNE forbearance petition.” Wednesday, Allstream owner Zayo agreed to be taken private (see 1905080021).