Windstream and USTelecom have reached a compromise agreement involving telecom unbundling that would offer an alternative to a filing made by USTelecom back in May. The agreement requires FCC approval, but generally the FCC looks favorably upon agreements that opposing telecom stakeholders have been able to negotiate without FCC involvement.  

“Together we reached an agreement that promotes adoption of modern technologies, provides adequate time for customers to migrate to new platforms, and minimizes the customer expense,” wrote  Windstream President and CEO Tony Thomas in a blog post.

Incumbent local telecom service providers such as those USTelecom represents for two decades or so have been required to sell portions of their network – typically the “last mile” copper link to the customer location – to their competitors at regulated pricing. In May, USTelecom asked the FCC to cease enforcing this requirement, arguing that telcos would investment more than $1.8 billion additional new dollars and consumers would save $1 billion over the next 10 years as a result.  

INCOMPAS, an association representing competitive carriers, argued that relaxing unbundling obligations would hamper, not hasten, broadband deployment and lead to higher prices.