Congress should address net neutrality even if it can't pass a broader rewrite of the Communications Act, said Verizon Senior Vice President Kathy Grillo Wednesday. She said election-driven political changes cause regulatory shifts that increase uncertainty and complicate long-term business plans. "Ultimately, Congress does really need to speak to this issue," she said on one of several panels at an Incompas policy conference. It also heard from legislators about dig once and broadband infrastructure (see 1702150068).

Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., confirmed he’s preparing a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval to dismantle the FCC’s ISP privacy rules, a possibility he and other Republican lawmakers had said was on the table (see 1701090062). The tool would prevent the FCC from developing similar rules in the future and requires only a simple majority in the Senate. Capitol Hill Democrats and public interest groups objected to using the CRA to kill the rules.

Lawmakers joined Incompas Wednesday to press for further action on spectrum and broadband deployment, speaking at the association’s Washington meeting. “I’ve encouraged President [Donald] Trump to include telecommunications in any infrastructure package,” said Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., a Commerce Committee member, in one among many references to such a possibility. The conference also heard from executives (see 1702150052).

Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., confirmed he’s preparing a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval to dismantle the FCC’s ISP privacy rules, a possibility he and other Republican lawmakers had said was on the table (see 1701090062). The tool would prevent the FCC from developing similar rules in the future and requires only a simple majority in the Senate. Capitol Hill Democrats and public interest groups objected to using the CRA to kill the rules.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai responded on Twitter to Incompas CEO Chip Pickering after their meeting to discuss the group's proposals on pole attachments, business data services and other matters (see 1702130023). "Enjoyed our discussion, @INCOMPAS/@ChipPickering! Look forward to working with you on promoting digital deployment," Pai tweeted Monday. An earlier Incompas tweet noted a filing by the group and called competition the key to the success of Pai's broadband deployment agenda.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai responded on Twitter to Incompas CEO Chip Pickering after their meeting to discuss the group's proposals on pole attachments, business data services and other matters (see 1702130023). "Enjoyed our discussion, @INCOMPAS/@ChipPickering! Look forward to working with you on promoting digital deployment," Pai tweeted Monday. An earlier Incompas tweet noted a filing by the group and called competition the key to the success of Pai's broadband deployment agenda.

Incompas urged the FCC to address wholesale access to business data services (BDS), pole attachments, access to multiple dwelling unit (MDU) residences and video programming. "Pro-competition policy is key to encouraging build-out of new broadband infrastructure that is both fast and affordable," said an Incompas filing Monday in docket 16-138 and others on a meeting that CEO Chip Pickering and another official had with FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and an aide. It said the group was encouraged by Pai's creation of a broadband deployment advisory committee (see 1701310033) and would do everything it can to assist the effort. Incompas said competitors have made significant investments to build broadband facilities to provide BDS to enterprise customers. "Nonetheless, given the bleak reality that last-mile facilities are uneconomic to duplicate in many instances, the footprint-barrier can only be overcome through reasonable wholesale access policies and pricing that enable providers (including incumbents attempting to compete outside their incumbent territories) to extend the geographic reach of their networks to off-net locations to create the multi-location service packages that this customer segment demands and encourage deployment where economically feasible," the filing said. On pole attachments, the group recommended the FCC amend its rules to authorize "one touch make-ready" service, whereby a contractor approved by the pole owner can do all make-ready work at one time. It also urged the FCC to (1) address incumbent provider use of "contractual methods to stymie development" of competitive broadband and video services in MDUs, and (2) help small video providers gain affordable access to video programming.

Incompas urged the FCC to address wholesale access to business data services (BDS), pole attachments, access to multiple dwelling unit (MDU) residences and video programming. "Pro-competition policy is key to encouraging build-out of new broadband infrastructure that is both fast and affordable," said an Incompas filing Monday in docket 16-138 and others on a meeting that CEO Chip Pickering and another official had with FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and an aide. It said the group was encouraged by Pai's creation of a broadband deployment advisory committee (see 1701310033) and would do everything it can to assist the effort. Incompas said competitors have made significant investments to build broadband facilities to provide BDS to enterprise customers. "Nonetheless, given the bleak reality that last-mile facilities are uneconomic to duplicate in many instances, the footprint-barrier can only be overcome through reasonable wholesale access policies and pricing that enable providers (including incumbents attempting to compete outside their incumbent territories) to extend the geographic reach of their networks to off-net locations to create the multi-location service packages that this customer segment demands and encourage deployment where economically feasible," the filing said. On pole attachments, the group recommended the FCC amend its rules to authorize "one touch make-ready" service, whereby a contractor approved by the pole owner can do all make-ready work at one time. It also urged the FCC to (1) address incumbent provider use of "contractual methods to stymie development" of competitive broadband and video services in MDUs, and (2) help small video providers gain affordable access to video programming.

Analysts remain bullish about the prospects of CenturyLink's planned buy of Level 3 (see 1610280052) despite new criticisms filed at the FCC, this time by Frontier Communications and Public Knowledge. "The odds of the deal closing have to be judged as being quite high," and the limited opposition "only reinforces the point," Nick Del Deo of MoffettNathanson told us Thursday. Chris Antlitz, Technology Business Research analyst, agreed: "There will be some competitive considerations and investment considerations that will need to be reviewed and negotiated, but I still think the merger will ultimately go through with minimal concessions." The FCC is considering a CenturyLink/Level 3 application to transfer licenses; the deal is also being reviewed by DOJ on antitrust grounds, and by state regulators.

Analysts remain bullish about the prospects of CenturyLink's planned buy of Level 3 (see 1610280052) despite new criticisms filed at the FCC, this time by Frontier Communications and Public Knowledge. "The odds of the deal closing have to be judged as being quite high," and the limited opposition "only reinforces the point," Nick Del Deo of MoffettNathanson told us Thursday. Chris Antlitz, Technology Business Research analyst, agreed: "There will be some competitive considerations and investment considerations that will need to be reviewed and negotiated, but I still think the merger will ultimately go through with minimal concessions." The FCC is considering a CenturyLink/Level 3 application to transfer licenses; the deal is also being reviewed by DOJ on antitrust grounds, and by state regulators.