T-Mobile should discontinue claims its wireless service has "the most reliable 5G network according to the third-party testing company, umlaut,” the Better Business Bureau's National Advertising Division said, in response to a complaint by AT&T. NAD said Thursday it analyzed the four tests utilized by umlaut and “found that it could not determine with certainty that umlaut’s 5G Transaction Success Metric accurately measures task completion in a consumer-relevant way.” T-Mobile responded it’s “proud of its 5G network and the awards it has received,” NAD said: “It expressed its disappointment with NAD’s decision but stated that it ‘remains a supporter of the self-regulatory process and will comply with NAD’s recommendations.’”

The Enterprise Wireless Alliance petitioned the FCC for a rulemaking to modify its rules, which currently require industrial business (IB) frequency coordinators to secure concurrence on primary use VHF/UHF channels. “The proposed changes would eliminate what have become unnecessary economic and administratively burdensome requirements for frequency coordinators to secure concurrence on the frequencies specified,” the petition said. More than 20 years ago, the FCC consolidated the land mobile radio services into the IB and public safety “retaining concurrence requirements for certain primary user channels,” said EWA President Robin Cohen: “The VHF/UHF bands have come a long way over the past few decades with more enhanced coordination processes, the introduction of trunked technologies, and the availability of exclusive use channels. The reservation may have made sense 25 years ago but makes little sense in today’s private land mobile spectrum environment.”

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."