AT&T countered arguments in favor of further liberalizing the rules for the unlicensed 6 GHz band (see 2212160034), in a filing posted Tuesday in docket 18-295. “Consider promptly and thoroughly the ever-mounting evidence in the record that already authorized, commercially available consumer 6 GHz [low-power indoor access points] pose a serious threat of harmful interference to primary fixed service incumbents -- some of which operate networks vital to public safety or the functioning of critical infrastructure,” AT&T said: “To date, four substantial field trials under real-world conditions have been undertaken, each documented in an extensive and comprehensive engineering report. Each of these trials has established that harmful interference is essentially inevitable.”

Boingo Wireless plans to move its headquarters to a new office that will open in Frisco, Texas, said Gov. Greg Abbott (R) Monday. The state gave the private network builder a $517,400 grant, the governor’s office said.

Rural Wireless Association representatives warned of problems if removing insecure equipment from carrier networks isn’t fully funded by Congress (see 2212150076). “Due to uncertainty about the timing and availability of Reimbursement Program funding, Reimbursement Program participants are finding it difficult even to borrow the funds needed to remove, replace, and destroy their covered equipment,” said a filing posted Monday in docket 18-89. “The difficulty in finding lenders has forced many to halt the removal, replacement, and destruction of equipment, leaving networks to deteriorate as time goes on and service to be lost as Universal Service funds cannot be used to upgrade the networks that contain covered equipment,” RWA said: “Without the ability to obtain funds to replace equipment, providers experience reduction in network coverage in otherwise unserved areas.” RWA met with FCC Wireline Bureau staff. SI Wireless, NTCH Cleartalk, PTCI, Widelity, Strata Networks and Americrew were also at the meeting. RWA also reported on a call with aides to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel on the 5G Fund. RWA members said they "deployed and are operating mobile networks in areas not served by the nationwide providers, providing needed connectivity to their customers and the public generally though roaming agreements and E-911 services,” said a filing in docket 20-32: “In many cases, this could not have been done without the Universal Service Fund … support the carriers receive through the Mobility Fund, and now those carriers are using their USF support to upgrade to 5G coverage. RWA said the current 5G Fund framework risks undermining this progress, stranding those networks, and wasting current USF support because it lacks a reasonable transition between the legacy support mechanism and a future 5G Fund.”

The FCC Public Safety Bureau approved a 14-day extension of the deadline for replying to oppositions filed on a petition by CTIA and the Competitive Carriers Association for partial reconsideration of the FCC’s new mandatory disaster response initiative (see 2211010056). The associations sought the extension. The deadline for filing oppositions remains Monday, but replies are now due Jan. 10, the Monday order said. “The requested extension is unopposed, limited to only 14 days, and will allow commenters sufficient time to file meaningful comments given the intervening weekend and Christmas holiday,” the bureau said.

Wi-Fi Alliance President Kevin Robinson urged the FCC to wrap up work on several 6 GHz items, in meetings with the FCC commissioners, other than Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, plus a Rosenworcel aide and top staff at the Office of Engineering and Technology. “In each meeting we emphasized the transformative effect that the Commission’s decision to permit access to the … band for unlicensed devices has had on the Wi-Fi industry and the American public,” said a filing posted Thursday in docket 18-295: “We urged that the Commission (i) act on the outstanding Further Notice in the 6 GHz proceeding by permitting the use of very low power devices and low power indoor devices with higher power; (ii) resolve the issue presented to the Commission on remand by the Court of Appeals upholding the Report and Order; and (iii) issue, as soon as possible, the further Public Notices” required to certify automated frequency coordination providers.

CTA, CTIA, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other groups told the FCC they support allowing low-flying drone radars in the 60 GHz band (see 2210200058). Current rules “limit the innovative potential of the 60 GHz band,” said a filing posted Friday in docket 21-264. “Authorizing the use of 60 GHz radar technologies on drones would enhance safety for drone operations and provide significant economic and societal benefits for the American public and the business community,” the groups said: “Specifically, allowing the use of this band for low-altitude drone operations would enable the development of systems to sense and avoid obstacles and provide situational awareness. This would help enhance aviation safety and reduce the risk to both people and property on the ground and other airspace users.” Others signing the filing were the Information Technology Industry Council, NetChoice and TechNet.

Consumer groups urged the FCC to strengthen protections against unwanted robotexts (see 2212120029), in a meeting with staff from the FCC Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau. “Texts are ‘calls’” under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, said a fling Friday in docket 21-402. The National Consumer Law Center and the Electronic Privacy Information Center participated in the meeting.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted an FCC motion to extend abeyance on a lawsuit by the League of California Cities challenging the FCC’s June 2020 wireless infrastructure declaratory ruling. Proceedings are stayed until Jan. 30, the court ruled Thursday in case 20-72749. The FCC sought more time to get to five commissioners (see 2211150069). The court has approved multiple previous abeyance requests (see 2207290029) since March 2021.

The FCC Wireless Bureau approved four more licenses Thursday in the 900 MHz broadband segment awarded to PDV Spectrum. Three were in Kansas and one in Missouri. The FCC approved an order in 2020 reallocating a 6 MHz swath in the band for broadband while keeping 4 MHz for narrowband (see 2005130057).

Representatives of CTIA and the major carriers urged a cautious approach by the FCC as the agency looks at ways to enhance the security of internet routing, including concerning the border gateway protocol, in a call with an aide to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. CTIA “encouraged the agency to further develop its understanding of Internet routing practices, the best ways to enhance routing security, and the possible unintended consequences of regulatory mandates,” said a filing posted Thursday in docket 22-90: “It is vital to identify any security issues that the federal government believes need to be addressed so that solutions can be properly tailored and responsive.” AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon were represented on the call. The FCC took comment earlier this year on a February notice of inquiry (see 2204110057).