Commissioners approved a Further NPRM Wednesday 5-0 on clearing the 3.45-3.55 GHz band, after changes were made at the urging of FCC Democrats asking whether the type of sharing used in the citizens broadband radio service band would work there. Commissioner Mike O’Rielly, who said during discussion on the item that he's leaving the FCC by year-end (see 2009300014), had pushed for the agency to take on the band. Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said the U.S. remains behind on 5G. Chairman Ajit Pai predicted an auction next year.
Add to the 3.45-3.55 GHz NPRM questions on whether sharing similar to that in the citizens broadband radio service band would work there, the Open Technology Institute at New America urged an aide to FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks. “The NPRM should at a minimum solicit comment on important elements of the CBRS framework that could enhance more intense, efficient and diverse use,” said a filing posted Wednesday in docket 19-348: “Regardless of the Commission’s tentative proposals, the record should reflect a robust consideration of options including smaller licensing areas (e.g., counties), authorizing opportunistic use of spectrum in areas where licensees are not providing service, and harmonizing the technical rules with CBRS in general.” Commissioners vote Wednesday (see 2009210056).
The telecom industry sows confusion about 5G and what the new generation of wireless really is, Tom Williams, chief technology officer at the ISP Schurz Communications, told the Big 5G Event Wednesday. Others said the pandemic has meant 5G is rolling out more quickly, especially for businesses.
Fred Moorefield, deputy chief information officer for command, control and communications, defended DOD’s recent request for information on spectrum sharing, which industry and FCC officials say raised questions as the commission moves toward a vote on the 3.45-3.55 GHz band. Moorefield spoke at NTIA’s virtual spectrum policy symposium. At a similar summit a year ago, officials promised the administration would soon release a national spectrum policy; it hasn't been unveiled.
T-Mobile is likely to be the dominant bidder in a 2.5 GHz auction expected next year, as it fills out substantial holdings in the band. T-Mobile got the spectrum when it bought Sprint and said in August it’s adding the band to its network at 600-700 sites weekly (see 2008070026). T-Mobile asked last week to move forward on an auction next year. AT&T questioned whether T-Mobile’s holdings exceed the spectrum screen.
Communications is playing a bigger role for electric utilities as they move to a smarter grid, Vivian Bouet, chief information officer at San Antonio’s CPS Energy, told the Utilities Technology Council virtual conference on its final day Thursday. UTC also took a deep dive in a panel on a project by Central Virginia Electric Cooperative (CVEC) to bring fiber service to its customers.
Verizon appears to be girding for a fight with T-Mobile over whether its spectrum holdings should preclude the “uncarrier” from bidding in the C-band auction, which starts Dec. 8, industry officials said. Verizon would flip the script on T-Mobile, which lobbied against Verizon and AT&T holdings seeking preferential treatment for competitors in the TV incentive auction (see 1408130047).
The results of the FCC citizens broadband radio service auction announced Wednesday 2009020029) were largely as expected, with Verizon and major cable operators dominating (see 2007200049). Dish Network also came in big, which was more of a surprise (see 2008260055). Southern California Edison also gobbled up priority access licenses (PALs).
David Wells, senior adviser at the Department of Energy, slammed FCC actions opening the 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi and on Ligado during a Utilities Technology Council virtual conference Tuesday. Fred Moorefield, DOD deputy chief information officer for command, control and communications, said the interagency system worked until recent months. Utility executives said this week 6 GHz concerns aren’t going away (see 2008310049). In an unusual petition, NTIA asked the FCC to reconsider the Ligado order (see 2006120033).
Verizon, seeking to close mid-band holes in its network, was the big winner in the citizens broadband radio service auction with $1.89 billion in bids, the FCC said Wednesday. Wetterhorn Wireless, a Dish Network subsidiary, bid $912,939,410. Charter Communications’ Spectrum Wireless Holdings bid $464,251,209.