The FCC Wireless Bureau sought comment Friday on technical requirements for mobile challenge, verification and crowd source processes required under the Broadband Data Act. “These requirements include the metrics to be collected for on-the-ground test data and a methodology for determining the threshold for what constitutes a cognizable challenge requiring a provider response,” the notice said: The FCC “seeks comment on the technical requirements for these complex issues to assure that the broadband availability data collected in the challenge and other data verification and crowdsource processes serves the important broadband data verification purposes envisioned in the” act. Comment deadlines are to come in a Federal Register notice.

Verizon representatives told FCC Wireless Bureau staff that potential bidders need more information about the licenses that will be offered to have a successful 2.5 GHz band auction, said a filing posted Friday in docket 20-429. “Were the auction to occur under existing conditions, bidders would find it extraordinarily challenging to properly ascribe value to most of the over 8,300 products to be offered,” the carrier said: “Without the ability to correctly value” the band, “some companies may not be able to secure corporate approvals to bid in the auction.” Meanwhile, Competitive Carriers Association officials sought additional data on licenses in the 3.45 GHz auction in meetings with aides to the four commissioners.

U.S. wireless customers spent 110 minutes daily on average on their smartphones in June, five minutes more than the January average, reported J.D. Power Thursday. “Despite the increased usage on everything from streaming audio to browsing content to gaming,” consumers experienced fewer data and streaming problems, it said. There's "a combination of improvements from carriers and manufacturers and an increasing level of sophistication among consumers,” said Managing Director Ian Greenblatt. Findings were based on a January-June canvass of 32,400 U.S. wireless customers across six regions of the country.

T-Mobile representatives told FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington potential bidders need more data before the 3.45 GHz auction on DOD use of the band. DOD is starting to provide “additional information about its current and future use of the band [but] there is still more information that bidders need in order to most accurately assess the value of the available spectrum,” said a filing posted Thursday in docket 19-348. “Not all of that information may be communicated” before July 21, the deadline for short-form applications, the company said. T-Mobile opposed higher power levels in the citizens broadband radio service band, in a letter to the FCC in docket 17-258.

OMB OK'd new information collection requirements for the 5G Fund order, effective Wednesday, said that day's Federal Register. The order was OK’d in October over partial dissents by Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel (now acting chairwoman) and Geoffrey Starks (see 2010270034).

The final version FCC NPRM proposing revised rules for short-range radars in the 60 GHz band (see 2107130066) had few changes from the draft, based on our side-by-side comparison. The NPRM Wednesday noted it's based in part on the current European Telecommunications Standards Institute standards, which are under review. The final version noted differences from ETSI in how power levels are measured. “The ETSI standard specifies the conducted output power as a mean (average) limit, rather than a peak limit as our rules do,” the FNPRM said: “We seek input on whether the Commission should consider average transmitter conducted output power limit and what impact this would have on the different types of … devices.” The order was also updated to reflect recent waivers for the band granted last week (see 2107090047). Comments are due 30 days after Federal Register publication, replies 60 days after publication.

Open radio access network vendors seek an FCC policy statement and other actions supporting open networks. Call for carriers to “adopt Open RAN principles not only for the replacement of Huawei and ZTE networks, but for all 5G/LTE and commercial radio access networks in the U.S.,” said a filing posted Tuesday in docket 21-63 signed by Airspan, Altiostar, DeepSig, Mavenir, NewEdge Signal Solutions and Parallel Wireless.

The FCC Wireless Bureau granted 26 citizens broadband radio service licenses Monday won by two companies, Simple Wireless and White Cloud Communications. The priority access licenses are in Idaho and Nevada. The FCC closed the auction Aug. 25.

Union Wireless representatives told FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks that half its towers will have to be replaced or require major work to remove insecure network gear. “Because a new network must first be installed before old equipment can be removed, Union must confront wind loading issues, tower space limitations, and permitting requirements,” said a filing posted Monday in docket 18-89. Union estimated it could take four or more years to complete.

Verizon representatives said they're focused on quick deployment in the C band and asked for help on the clearinghouse, in calls with FCC International Bureau and Office of General Counsel staff. “While we know the auction winners cannot provide funding until the overlay licenses are granted, we urged the Commission to support the Clearinghouse in their efforts to fully develop the process for funding clearing costs as soon as possible,” said a filing posted Monday in docket 18-122: “This includes finalizing the Handbook, templates for funding requests and invoices, and any necessary legal agreements between the overlay licensees and the Clearinghouse.”