Smith Bagley asked the FCC for a six-month extension of the Lifeline rule waiver scheduled to expire June 30, said a petition posted Monday in docket 11-42 (see 2102250022). The provider said its 3,000 Lifeline subscribers on tribal lands may be de-enrolled during the second half of 2021 if recertification rules go into effect and would be unable to re-enroll "for several more months" due to COVID-19-related travel restrictions.
CTA representatives flagged concerns with draft rules proposing to bar certification of equipment from companies found to be a national security risk. The worries were expressed in calls with FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr and aides to the other commissioners, said a filing posted Monday in docket 21-232 (see 2106090063). CTA “discussed potential complications for U.S. technology companies raised by the draft NPRM, including possible impacts on global trade commitments, should the equipment authorization regime be dramatically changed in its goals or operation,” the group said: “Broad changes to the equipment authorization regime for devices currently exempt could be disruptive and impose substantial burdens on manufacturers well beyond the few covered entities.”
CTIA and carriers spoke with FCC, NTIA and DOD officials to push for more complete information before the 3.45 GHz auction. Information is sought on the “coordination framework and auction products with more granularity,” said a filing posted Monday in docket 19-348. “Bidders need access to detailed information about coordination, encumbrances, and the available auction products as soon as possible to make informed decisions,” CTIA said. AT&T, T-Mobile, UScellular and Verizon spoke with officials including Ron Repasi, FCC Office of Engineering and Technology acting chief; Vernita Harris, director-DOD Spectrum Policy and Programs Directorate; and Derek Khlopin, NTIA senior adviser.
The FCC said Friday it’s rescheduling its June 29 virtual open radio access network showcase to July 14-15 and adding a day “to accommodate the large number of interested participants.”
The FCC reminded wireless radio service licensing systems Friday that their move to all-electronic filing is effective June 29 (see 2012280023).
Water and waste management company Suez North America agreed to pay a $104,000 fine and implement a compliance plan for taking control of spectrum licenses without FCC authorization, said a Friday Enforcement Bureau order. The violations stem from its buy of United Water Resources, Heritage Hills Water Works and other assets. The New Jersey company didn’t comment. “This action will reinforce the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that the transfer and assignment of wireless authorizations is limited to instances where there has been a prior determination that the transfer or assignment is in the public’s interest, convenience, and necessity,” the bureau said. Suez "and its subsidiaries self-reported this matter to the FCC when we learned of this administrative oversight," a spokesperson emailed: "The company will ensure that all future change of control transactions or tuck-in acquisitions comply with FCC rules and regulations."
The Fixed Wireless Communications Coalition urged the FCC to “expeditiously” act on proposed changes to antenna standards in the 70/80 GHz bands, updating rules to allow use of lower minimum gain antennas. “This proposal has now been before the Commission for nearly a decade, and the record reflects consensus among stakeholders in support of relaxing antenna standards in the 70/80 GHz bands,” said a filing posted Friday in docket 20-133.
Verizon is launching On Site 5G, said the carrier Thursday: The private networks are “custom-designed and managed by Verizon, allowing large enterprise and public sector customers to bring Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband capabilities to indoor or outdoor facilities where high-speed, high-capacity, low-latency connectivity is crucial."
AT&T said it completed the first field test calls over C-band spectrum using a mobile test platform in Plano, Texas, and Detroit. The tests were in April and May.
The Wi-Fi Alliance, NCTA and others opposed a 5G Automotive Association request to stay the FCC order reallocating the 5.9 GHz band (see 2106030075), in filings posted Thursday in docket 19-138. “5GAA fails to demonstrate that cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) operators face any actual harm,” the alliance said. 5GAA bases its request on arguments the FCC “considered and ruled on,” with many “simulation parameters” that 5GAA member Ford “submitted over a year ago,” NCTA said. “5GAA claims that the Commission must give proper weight to a technical study it did not submit during proceeding, the Order’s [out of band emissions] limits for indoor unlicensed use are not stringent enough, and that a root mean square (RMS) measurement is an inappropriate means to calculate OOBE level,” said Public Knowledge and New America’s Open Technology Institute: “A stay would significantly harm the public interest by preventing the dissemination of new technology that furthers connectivity and increases wireless capacity.” Altice USA also opposed the stay. 5GAA didn't comment.