Incompas Warns Against FCC's Proposed Business Data Service Changes

Incompas warned Tuesday that FCC proposals for the business data services (BDS) market could do more harm than good. The commission’s competitive market test “remains a fundamentally flawed measure of competition, inappropriately allows monopolies or duopolies to qualify as competitive markets, and fails to realistically assess barriers to competitive entry,” the group said in comments in docket 21-17.

As drafted, the commission’s proposals “would further erode competition in the BDS market, particularly in areas where competitive providers have limited or no access to last-mile facilities,” Incompas said. Deregulating markets prematurely, “without collocation requirements or adequate transition periods, risks exposing American businesses, schools, hospitals, and government agencies to higher prices and fewer competitive choices.”

In a second filing Tuesday in docket 17-84, Incompas supported proposals in the FCC's pole attachment notice (see 2507280053). For many Incompas members, "aerial deployment on utility poles remains the most efficient and cost-effective means of building high-speed networks,” the group said in its reply comments. The proposed reforms, “if properly implemented, will reduce deployment costs, improve predictability, and enable our members to extend broadband service to communities that urgently need better connectivity options.”