The FCC should reject a push by the aviation industry asking the agency to consider tweaks to its rules to protect radio altimeters from C-band interference (see 2210060022), consultant Preston Padden said in comments posted Tuesday in docket 22-137. “The proposal by the aviation community to codify the voluntary and temporary restrictions on C-Band usage graciously indulged by AT&T and Verizon is the most outrageous proposition I have seen in 50 years of following FCC matters (and I have seen some doozies -- maybe even filed one or two myself)!” Padden said: “The FCC must just say ‘no.’” Padden formerly worked for the C-Band Alliance but noted he has no financial interests in the proceeding. “AT&T/Verizon bought those spectrum usage rights from the U.S. Government for $82 Billion with absolutely no prior notice of possible restrictions related to altimeter spectrum located hundreds of MHz away,” he said.

Energous hailed ITU recommendation ITU-R SM.2151-0, which includes an approval and recommendation for the 900 MHz frequency band for wireless power transfer for the wireless charging of devices such as sensors, smart tags, asset trackers and other IoT applications. The September ITU recommendation, posted Monday, is significant for Energous’ WattUp PowerBridges, which transmit power at the 915 MHz band, Energous said, calling it a “step forward” for Energous for the deployment of global active harvesting wireless power networks running at 900 MHz.

GSMA expects eight more 5G launches this year, with 5G networks hitting 420 worldwide by 2025, said Julie Ssali, senior analyst at GSMA Intelligence, during a Mobile World Live webinar Monday. Ssali warned that most of the networks are built on top of an older-generation core. There are 218 operators offering 5G in 81 markets, but GSMA counts only 27 5G stand-alone networks, she said. “The one key value to growth in this market is the deployment of 5G stand-alone networks,” she said. The biggest shift GSMA sees is toward edge computing, which does require 5G stand-alone to really see the benefits for business customers, including “advantage functionalities,” she said. Most stand-alone networks are being built in the Asia-Pacific region, she said. Rising inflation and lower expected growth are having an big effect, with some carriers holding back on 5G deployments “until there’s more stability within the economy,” she said.

The Fixed Wireless Communications Coalition opposed Encina Communications’ proposal to use Part 101 frequency coordination procedures as an alternative to automated frequency coordination (AFC) in the 6 GHz band (see 2209060034), in an FCC filing posted Tuesday in docket 18-295. “Encina’s request now incorrectly suggests its proposal enjoys wide support,” the coalition said: “Encina’s characterization ignores the Commission’s own rejection of Encina’s inclusion zone proposal and opposition to its repetitive Part 101 proposals from licensed and unlicensed 6 GHz stakeholders alike.”

Capgemini Engineering, Radisys and Mavenir Systems each won $250,000 for developing a fully integrated multivendor end-to-end 5G network as part of the government's 5G challenge, DOD and NTIA said. The goal of the challenge's stage three was “to build upon stage two results and integrate multiple vendor subsystems into an end-to-end network,” said a Thursday news release. “Through the 5G Challenge and in partnership with industry, we look to develop a more secure supply chain and a robust U.S. industrial base capable of reinstating U.S. leadership in the development of trusted 5G infrastructure,” said Amanda Toman, director of the DOD 5G Transition Office.

The FCC Wireless Bureau and Office of Engineering created docket 22-352 for the draft notice of inquiry on the future of the 12.7-13.25 GHz band, said a notice in Friday’s Daily Digest. Commissioners will vote on the NOI at their Oct. 27 meeting (see 2210060062).

Garmin representatives spoke with an aide to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel urging that rules for field disturbance sensors in the 57-71 GHz range accommodate products it offers for bicyclists. “The discussion focused primarily on Garmin’s interest in ensuring that the scope of eligible use cases, following adoption of final rules, will include bicycle-related field disturbance sensor products,” said a filing posted Thursday in docket 21-264. Commissioners approved a Further NPRM on the range last year (see 2107130066).

Representatives of the Detection Innovation Group (DI-Group) urged FCC action on the company's expedited petition for rulemaking filed in July on its iLink system for detecting contraband cellphones in prisons using ankle bracelets. Representatives spoke with an aide to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “The FCC has consistently sought to identify new technologies to legally address the urgent need to stop inmate phone calls from contraband devices in prison,” said a filing posted Thursday in docket 13-111: “DI Group seeks an expedited determination of the iLink system currently being tested and set for future trial in correctional institutions in the United States.”

Aviation industry representatives urged the FCC to consider tweaks to its rules to protect radio altimeters from C-band interference. The representatives, led by Aviation Spectrum Resources, met with staff from the Office of Engineering and Technology, Office of General Counsel and Wireless Bureau. The aviation industry cited "the extensive steps the industry has taken, and continues to take, to harden radar altimeter hardware in thousands of aircraft to ensure more robust performance when faced with adjacent C-Band wireless operations,” said a filing posted Thursday in docket 18-122. “While solutions are still at an early stage, the aviation industry representatives discussed several examples of modest adjustments to Part 27 of the Commission’s rules that should be further investigated in conjunction with the FCC, the FAA, NTIA, and the wireless industry,” the filing said: “These concepts, such as preventing antennas pointing 90 degrees above the horizon and maintaining the wireless spurious emissions in the 4200-4400 MHz band consistent with current mitigations, would appear to not compromise wireless operators’ actual use cases while further assuring aviation safety and providing a workable RF environment against which future radio altimeters can be designed and built.” Participating in the meeting were the Aerospace Industries Association, Airlines for America, the Air Line Pilots Association, American Airlines, Collins Aerospace, the Regional Airline Association, Garmin International, the National Air Carrier Association and Thales.

The FCC Wireless Bureau said Wednesday it started issuing maritime mobile service identities (MMSI) for VHF handheld radios. “The Bureau already assigns MMSIs through its licensing process for ship and coast station radios, and now expands the process as a result of recently changed” ITU “assignment policies," the bureau said: "ITU has expanded the authorized assignment of MMSIs to include VHF handheld radios used exclusively for maritime communications."