by Sean Buckley
Windstream is concerned that CenturyLink's pending acquisition of Level 3 could create a larger carrier that will use its broader market power to engage in unfair billing and payment practices that could hinder Windstream's rural broadband expansion efforts.
Echoing a similar concern made by fellow telco Frontier Communications, Windstream said in an FCC filing (PDF) that has found Level 3 has either been refusing to pay or delaying payment for what it says is millions of dollars in wholesale services. Windstream added that it has received a large number of "rate increase notices from Level 3 that are inconsistent with the company's past practices."
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