Pause equipment certification approvals for 6 GHz unlicensed low-power indoor (LPI) access points, CTIA representatives urged in a call with Ron Repasi, chief of the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology. CTIA provided “prima facie evidence” in a recent report "that even 6 GHz LPI operations in compliance with the existing rules will cause harmful interference to incumbent users,” said a filing posted Wednesday in docket 17-183.

Tesla representatives spoke with staff from the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology on a waiver request from last year to permit marketing a short-range interactive motion-sensing device in the 60-64 GHz band at a higher power level than specified in rules (see 2008200027). “Tesla clarified that the subject device may be installed in any vehicle that Tesla currently produces or plans to produce,” said a filing posted Tuesday in docket 20-264. It cited possibilities for “child detection, occupant classification for advanced airbag deployment, seat belt reminders, intrusion detection and driver vitals monitoring.”

The Enterprise Wireless Alliance supports Virginia State Police's request to increase limits on its Part 22 transmitter power output for its mobile transmitters from 60 watts to 100 watts, using a maximum effective radiated power of 150 watts (see 2102120054), said a filing posted Tuesday in docket 20-241. EWA urged the FCC to "reconcile the Part 22, Subpart E rules with the rules governing Part 90, an issue raised more than six years ago." Action “likely would have eliminated the need for the instant Waiver Request,” the alliance said. Comments were due Monday, and EWA was the only filer.

Delay the Lifeline marketplace report until after the FCC has a chance to assess the emergency broadband benefit program, T-Mobile said in a call with an aide to acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “The EBB Program presents a unique opportunity for the Commission to evaluate low-income offerings available to consumers when there is less red tape for providers and the monthly discount is up to $50 per month,” said a filing posted Tuesday in docket 20-437: “The results of the EBB Program could serve as the foundation for any Lifeline reforms.” T-Mobile hasn't said whether it plans to participate in EBB, for which it previously expressed support (see 2103040049).

The FCC is updating an existing system of records, FCC/WTB-7, effective Tuesday, says that day's Federal Register. The Wireless Bureau uses the information “to record and process requests for assistance from individuals or groups in connection with FCC systems, research tools, electronic databases, licenses, authorizations, and registrations,” the notice says. The FCC also seeks comments on the system’s routine uses, due April 15. The FCC updated the system to add new sections, including “Reporting to a Consumer Reporting Agency, to address valid and overdue debts owed by individuals to the FCC under the Debt Collection Act,” the notice says.

Now that all 800 MHz licensees have been relocated to replacement channels (see 2103030061), “lift the almost eight-year freeze on the availability of Expansion Band (815-816/860-861 MHz) and Guard Band (816-817/861-862 MHz) frequencies" in the Mexican border region, the Enterprise Wireless Alliance urged the FCC. “This spectrum has been long-awaited by EWA members and other land mobile entities with a need for 800 MHz capacity,” said a filing posted Monday in docket 02-55.

Nokia announced an agreement with Amazon Web Services Monday to research and enable cloud radio access network and open RAN technologies. “The collaboration, which will be conducted at Nokia’s facilities, aims to develop innovative proof of concepts to explore and enable Cloud RAN and related technologies,” said a news release: “Nokia is pursuing a strategy of collaborating with AWS to extend the reach of its Cloud RAN technologies in support of 5G deployments and the development of new use cases.” Nokia also announced an agreement with Google Cloud “to develop new, cloud-based 5G radio solutions.” Nokia also reached an agreement with Microsoft “to develop new market-ready 4G and 5G private wireless use cases designed” for business customers. The collaboration combines Nokia’s cloud RAN technologies with Microsoft Azure cloud-based services.

Dish Network signed a master lease agreement with American Tower allowing Dish space on up to 20,000 communications sites as it deploys a 5G network. “DISH now has the complete, robust infrastructure portfolio we need to support our nationwide 5G network deployment,” said Dave Mayo, executive vice president-network development: “Our team has already developed colocation plans for American Tower sites across the country.” Dish now has MLAs with the three big U.S. tower companies, Raymond James’ Ric Prentiss emailed investors.

The FCC Public Safety Bureau agreed to a request by Morris County, New Jersey, for extra time to build three 700 MHz trunked public safety stations. The deadline was Feb. 8, 2020, and the county asked for an extra two years, said Friday's order. “Stringent application of our rule would effectively negate the significant efforts that the County has undertaken to design and construct its radio system,” the bureau said: “The County should be afforded additional time to avoid incurring unnecessary cost in finalizing and implementing its public safety communications system.”

Commercialization of 5G “continues to be strong,” Qualcomm CEO Steve Mollenkopf told his company's annual meeting Thursday, his last before his June retirement when he will be replaced by President Cristiano Amon. “We're early on” but 2020 “was the year that 5G really started to ramp,” Mollenkopf said. More than 140 operators have launched it in nearly 60 countries, and 270 more operators “are investing, making their plans known to go to 5G,” he said. Qualcomm expects a billion 5G connections in 2023, “two years faster than that same mark in 4G,” he said. Adoption of 5G smartphones remains "strong,” said Mollenkopf. Industry sold 225 million 5G smartphones in 2020, he said. “We expect that to grow to 500 million at the midpoint in 2021 and continue to grow.”