Dish Network “reiterated the urgent need” for the FCC to issue an NPRM updating its mobile spectrum holding policies, the company said in meetings with agency staff. “DISH described how the majority of spectrum is controlled by nationwide incumbents, leaving new competitors and regional carriers constrained in their ability to provide wireless services,” a filing posted Tuesday in docket 23-319 said. “This excessive concentration hampers innovation, raises prices, raises costs for non-incumbent competitors, including DISH, and harms consumers,” Dish said. The FCC recently took comment on whether to reexamine aggregation limits (see 2311090051). In addition, Dish raised questions about T-Mobile’s proposed buy of Mint Mobile (see 2303150032). “While this transaction does not involve spectrum accumulation, T-Mobile’s network is an important input for virtually every [mobile virtual network operator] in the nation, including DISH, just as spectrum is for any facilities-based carrier,” Dish said: “The acquisition of another MVNO by T-Mobile increases T-Mobile’s incentive to discriminate against the remaining independent MVNOs.”

The U.S. and other nations Monday called on the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to develop common rules for civil aviation operations occurring in higher airspace. “Activity in higher airspace is poised to soar, with demand for applications as diverse as bringing 5G and 6G telecommunications to underserved communities, improving current Earth Observation capabilities, and enabling innovation in transportation of people and goods,” the nations' joint statement said: “Systems that ensure safety and security for the millions of flights occurring at lower altitudes are simply not in place for activity in higher airspace. Aircraft operating in higher airspace have vastly different performance characteristics and unconventional operational needs.” The statement urged ICAO to “prioritize and expedite higher airspace operations in its work program and to accelerate the development and implementation of solutions for manned and unmanned aviation traffic in higher airspace.” Canada, the EU and its member states, Japan and the U.K. signed the statement.

The continuing growth of 5G shows the need for policymakers to provide more spectrum for operators, 5G Americas said Monday. Worldwide 5G connections reached 1.6 billion in Q3, 71% growth over the past year, 5G Americas said. Omdia projects 1.8 billion by the end of 2023 and 7.9 billion by 2028, 5G Americas said. “The global 5G landscape shows positive momentum as innovation and collaboration continue to be the mainstays for long term progress,” said Chris Pearson, president of 5G Americas. With the World Radiocommunication Conference finished, “it is important that international cooperation and efforts continue to ensure that spectrum and technology standards continue to propel this growth,” he said.

The Wireless Broadband Alliance filed a report at the FCC on public tests of its 6 GHz automated frequency coordination (AFC) system. “This report demonstrates that WBA successfully completed the public testing of its AFC system,” said a Friday filing in docket 21-352: “Only one challenge was a valid concern and WBA has since corrected that in its AFC.” WBA said other challenges were tied to differences in testing methodologies.

For marketing 33 wireless microphones that didn't receive FCC authorization, Sound Around is facing a possible $1.2 million penalty, the Enforcement Bureau said Friday. The action follows a 2022 fine of $685,338 for marketing 32 models of wireless mics that failed to comply with the agency’s equipment marketing rules (see 2208010065). Pointing to that and to the Brooklyn company -- which operates as Pyle Audio -- as providing incomplete responses to bureau inquiries during the commission investigation, "we propose a significant fine," the FCC said. Pyle didn't comment.

FCC rules went into effect Friday for commercial mobile service providers that elected to participate in the wireless emergency alert message system in the 13 most commonly spoken languages in the U.S. as well as English and American Sign Language (see 2310190056), said a notice in Friday’s Federal Register.

Thirty-two percent of U.S. consumers receive fraudulent mobile calls daily or multiple times a week, while 30% receive text-related fraud messages, TransUnion said Thursday. Sizable percentages of 33% to 45% believe mobile carriers help protect consumers from fraud via mobile devices. The data comes from an online survey of 1,500 consumers conducted in September, TransUnion said.

The FCC Wireless Bureau granted Jotron's request for a waiver for authorization and use of a personal locator beacon not in compliance with commission rules (see 2311290052). Jotron remains subject to testing and approval requirements, "including to secure certifications from independent test facilities" and obtain an approval letter from the U.S. Coast Guard demonstrating compliance with part 95 requirements, said an order Wednesday in docket 23-292.

Terrestrial 5G networks with directional base stations can coexist in the 12 GHz band by dynamically selecting the radius of an exclusion zone around an incumbent fixed satellite service (FSS) receiver, Virginia Tech and George Mason University researchers said Tuesday in docket 20-443. They developed modeling for potential harmful interference between 5G radio links and incumbent fixed non-geostationary orbit FSS receivers in the 12 GHz band and applied that to the topographical parameters and population density of Blacksburg, Virginia, the researchers said. While the modeling is in its pilot stage and was limited to Blacksburg, the results are useful in spectrum sharing discussions, they added.

DirectTV representatives reiterated that a Savid study showed interference problems from introducing terrestrial mobile into the 12.7 GHz band (see 2207180026) during a meeting with FCC staff, according to a docket 220352 filing Tuesday. Adding the effect of mobile user devices also points to increased interference woes, they said during a session with staff from the Wireless and Space bureaus and Office of Engineering and Technology. DirecTV said terrestrial operators have pointed to being more interested in the 3-8 GHz range for expanded terrestrial service.