The FCC Wireless Bureau said Friday five companies have a complete application to be contraband interdiction system (CIS) operators to help address contraband phones in correctional facilities. The five are CellBlox Acquisitions, ShawnTech Communications, Tecore Networks, SOC and OmniProphis. The bureau asked for comment on the applications, due April 23 in docket 13-111, before granting final approvals. The bureau is implementing an order approved 4-0 by commissioners in July 2021 (see 2107130029). The bureau also released a protective order, making some information public while limiting access to competitively sensitive data to experts employed by wireless providers. “While we are mindful of the sensitive nature of some of the information involved, we are also mindful of the general right of the public, and our desire for the public, to participate in this proceeding in a meaningful way,” the order said: “We find that allowing limited access to competitively sensitive materials pursuant to the procedures set forth in this Protective Order allows the public (through appropriate representatives) to do so, while also protecting sensitive law enforcement information and competitively sensitive information from improper disclosure and use.”

The latest revision to the Wi-Fi Alliance’s automated frequency coordination device under test (DUT) compliance test plan will be posted by the end of March, the alliance said in a meeting with FCC Office of Engineering and Technology staff. Members also offered a more general update for FCC staff, said a filing posted Thursday in docket 18-295.

The FCC Wireless Bureau sought comment Thursday on a December petition by ATIS seeking a limited waiver of FCC hearing aid-compatibility rules. “The Petition seeks to allow wireless handsets to satisfy a reduced volume control testing methodology to be certified as hearing-aid compatible,” said a notice in docket 20-3: “In particular, we seek comment on this waiver request in the context of the Commission’s commitment to attaining 100% hearing aid compatibility of covered wireless handsets, as soon as achievable, as well as the Commission’s previous finding that a volume control requirement is necessary ‘to ensure the provision of effective telecommunications for people with hearing loss.’” Comments deadlines will come in a Federal Register notice.

The FCC sought comment Thursday on a December report by its Hearing Aid Compatibility Task Force recommending what the group says is a path to 100% compatibility for wireless handsets (see 2212160063). The task force started work in 2020 (see 2002070027). The report urges the commission to “(1) adopt a more flexible, forward-looking definition of hearing aid compatibility; (2) adjust current technical standards; (3) allow for exploration of changes in coupling technology (e.g., by additional exploration of Bluetooth and alternative technologies); (4) allow reliance on information linked in the Commission’s Accessibility Clearinghouse; and (5) set a 90-day shot clock for the resolution of petitions for waiver of the hearing aid compatibility requirements,” said a notice from the Wireless Bureau in docket 15-285. The bureau seeks general comment on the recommendations: “Do they further the Commission’s goal of attaining 100% hearing aid compatibility?” The bureau asks if the recommendations are consistent with long-term FCC policy goals and its statutory responsibilities: “If so, how would they ensure equal opportunity for all to create, participate, and communicate -- with none left behind? If not, why would they not?” Initial comments are due April 24, replies May 8.

The Cherokee Nation said a new AT&T cell tower in Kenwood, Oklahoma, means people there no longer have to drive more than 10 miles to get mobile wireless service. The nation said it approached AT&T after getting American Rescue Plan Act funding. “COVID-19 highlighted the critical connectivity needs for the community, which includes Cherokee speakers,” said a Wednesday news release: “Reliable internet is needed to access tribal services, health care, emergency services, education and Cherokee language services.”

A new paper by 5G Americas highlights the mid-range spectrum bands that could potentially be used to deliver 5G. The paper calls spectrum “the key ingredient for any wireless technology” but notes that “worryingly, there are currently no bands in the spectrum pipeline” for the U.S. and identifying, allocating and repurposing spectrum is a multiyear process. “Massive” multiple-input and multiple-output, “adaptive antenna technology, and other spectral efficiency techniques continue to evolve to support operators with access to deliver a powerful 5G experience to its consumers nationwide,” the paper said: “Yet, technology alone is not enough to meet the consumer demand for higher speeds and enhanced user experiences.” The bands examined range from 1300-1350 MHz to 12.7-13.25 GHz. “It is essential to have a long-term spectrum pipeline to fuel growth in the 5G ecosystem, and this 5G Americas white paper is a good step toward understanding future potential mid-band spectrum opportunities,” said Karri Kuoppamaki, T-Mobile senior vice president-network technology development and strategy.

The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History will open a temporary exhibit June 23 on the history of wireless, including the first commercial cellphone released in 1983. “Through more than 300 objects from around the world, multimedia installations, an interactive group chat, and a graphic novel spanning three gallery walls, explore the unseen personal, cultural, and technological connections your cellphone makes easier,” the museum said. The lead sponsor is Qualcomm. T-Mobile said Wednesday it will contribute $1 million to help fund the exhibit.

Dish Network seeking go-ahead to offer high-power fixed services in the 12 GHz band ignores that the FCC "already evaluated, and rejected, this proposition" when it authorized multichannel video and data distribution service alone for additional fixed service operations in the band, SpaceX said Wednesday in docket 20-443. It said that's reflected in FCC rules such as saying two-way service may use "other spectrum or media for the return or upstream path.” RS Access emailed us that SpaceX's arguments "are unequivocally false" because the proceeding "remains open and the Commission has not issued any definitive guidance."

Amazon urged the FCC to allow the use of drones in the 60 GHz band (see 2209140060). “Amazon has demonstrated through real-life data enabled by the experimental license the Commission granted Amazon that drone radar operations in the 60-64 GHz band can coexist and will not cause harmful interference to adjacent Earth Exploration Satellite Service operations,” the company said in a filing Monday in docket 21-264: “Amazon has also provided the Commission with significant analysis demonstrating that drone radar operations can occur in this band without causing harmful interference to other services.”

The FCC Office of Engineering and Technology sought comment Tuesday on a waiver sought by the Wi-Fi Alliance of rules for the predictive propagation models that an automated frequency coordination system must employ in the 6 GHz band. Comments are due April 5, replies April 20, in docket 23-107. In conditionally approving AFC operators, OET recognized that “building entry loss (BEL) could be an input to any predictive propagation model to determine permitted power levels for 6 GHz standard-power devices,” the notice said: “OET took no position on whether to permit AFC systems to account for BEL in their calculations. In its Waiver Request, Wi-Fi Alliance seeks flexibility for its AFC system to incorporate BEL attenuation losses when assessing allowable channel availability and power constraints for composite devices that are authorized to operate in both [low-power indoor] and standard power mode.”