An Administrative Law Judge in Michigan has apparently ruled the impairment exists everywhere in the state, thus recommending that the Michigan Commission keep UNE-P available everywhere. There is a bit of "let's pretend" to the case, given that is took place under the auspices of an FCC delegation to the states that the DC Circuit has ruled illegitimate. The recommended decision nonetheless cements Michigan's ardent belief in UNE-P as representing "competition." I believe, as well, that Michigan has some of the lowest regulator-set wholesale prices in the nation. With this combination, Michigan will be able to claim victory with gobs of competition. But, maybe, those low wholesale prices will create a disincentive to invest. Gee, they'll have to correct that with some tax credits for investment. They did. It all begins to resemble a cat chasing its tail.
(And, yes, to the pop culturally-attuned, the headline is a nod to Mojo Nixon and Skid Roper.)