Verizon and AT&T, concerned about T-Mobile's 600 MHz leasing arrangements with Channel 51 and LB license companies, haven't shown any actual competitive harm that will come from it, the FCC Wireless Bureau ordered Thursday, dismissing a Verizon petition for reconsideration of its acceptance of spectrum manager lease applications. It said it also dismissed various other requests to revisit FCC spectrum holdings policies, emphasizing that its spectrum screen, used to evaluate the competitive effects of spectrum aggregation in secondary market transactions, isn't a hard cap on a company's spectrum holdings but rather a threshold for deeper competitive analysis. "The FCC has a spectrum screen to help identify instances of potential competitive harm as a provider adds spectrum," Verizon emailed. "Even in this order, the FCC still has not performed a meaningful competitive analysis, even as the leases here put T-Mobile far above the screen. Indeed, TMO already exceeded the screen in many markets before considering the leased spectrum and currently holds more low and mid-band spectrum than the next two carriers combined."

The C-band auction set to start Tuesday is expected to bring in $35 billion, with Verizon likely an aggressive bidder and AT&T and T-Mobile active, Citi analyst Michael Rollins wrote investors Thursday. T-Mobile is presumably focused on spectrum below 6 GHz and might want at least 61 MHz of the band, he said. Comcast's and Charter Communications' expanded and extended mobile virtual network operation with Verizon could mean they take an opportunistic approach to buying a national slice of the band, he said. Dish Network might take part, but any incremental spectrum purchases will increase the company’s already big funding needs to build a national 5G network, he said. He said Dish's growing capital needs for its wireless strategy could lead to it trying to monetize its video business and tee up combining with DirecTV, he said. TDS and UScellular will likely seek at least 60 MHz in its current footprint, he said.

Most 5G smartphones shipped in 2020 were sub-6 GHz only “due to the lack of millimeter-wave coverage,” Display Supply Chain Consultants CEO Ross Young told the virtual Display Market Outlook Conference Wednesday. Of the mmWave phones introduced before the debut of the iPhone 12, virtually all were targeted for the U.S. market and had a $100 “cost adder, typically,” he said. “But Apple outfitted all U.S. iPhone 12s with mmWave and sub-6 GHz without a cost penalty, which is boosting investment in mmWave and its outlook.” DSCC is forecasting the mmWave plus sub-6 GHz 5G “configuration” in smartphones will reach better than a 25% share in Q4, he said.

NCTA discussed suggested changes to last month's 5.9 GHz order (see 2011180043) with Office of Engineering and Technology staffers, per a docket 19-138 posting Wednesday. Recommendations included higher maximum equivalent isotropically radiated power levels in some instances and amended language regarding the period to file a protest and the period after which modifications, absent a filed protest, become effective.

The FCC should explain parameters of the deployment subsidy adjustment factor in the 5G Fund and require applicants and recipients adopt equal opportunity procurement policies, said the Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council, NAACP, League of United Latin American Citizens and 24 other diversity groups in a petition for partial reconsideration posted in docket 20-32 Tuesday. The recon petition said the commission should explain how the adjustment factor used in the fund will ensure that “historically underserved or unserved areas will receive support in the Phase I auction based on need, low wealth, persistent poverty, and the digital divide." Equitable procurement practices would “ensure broad dissemination of contracting opportunities,” the filing said. The deadline for recon petitions was Monday; no others were posted Tuesday.

Four of every 10 mobile subscriptions globally will be 5G in 2026, reported Ericsson Monday. “Current 5G uptake in subscriptions and population coverage confirms the technology as deploying the fastest of any generation of mobile connectivity.” Ericsson estimates that by year-end, more than a billion people -- 15% of the population -- will live in an area with 5G coverage. That’s expected to grow to 60% in 2026, when 5G subscriptions are forecast to reach 3.5 billion. Ericsson projects that globally, such subs will reach 220 million by the end of 2020, 4% of them in North America. “Commercialization is now moving at a rapid pace,” said the company, and 80% of North American mobile customers by 2026 will be fifth-generation, the highest of any region.

A 2013 FCC proceeding that opened the door for in-flight voice and data services via mobile wireless frequencies (see 1312130061) was grounded for want of a common ground solution, said an all-commissioner order in Monday's Daily Digest. It said because of the strong pushback from pilot and flight attendant interests and disagreements on the best approach for expanding access, there's no value in continuing the rulemaking.

The lack of an eligible telecom carrier compliance plan means review of Verizon's buy of Tracfone (see 2009140010) shouldn't get streamlined treatment, Public Knowledge representatives told FCC International Bureau staffers, according to a posting Tuesday. PK said the active FCC investigation against Tracfone for Lifeline violations also backs the argument that Verizon's ETC eligibility should be tied to the transaction. It said streamlined treatment also seems inappropriate, given calls for "pencils down" by members of Congress (see 2011100061). Verizon didn't comment Wednesday. T-Mobile opposes expedited review (see 2010140037).

Antitrust authorities gave the nod to Verizon buying Tracfone (see 2010140037), said an FTC early termination notice dated Tuesday and released Wednesday. The proposed transaction's Hart-Scott-Rodino waiting period is over.

Smartphone sales fell at Best Buy in the quarter ended Oct. 31, largely due to the late launch of the 12 series of iPhones, Chief Operating Officer Mike Mohan told investors Tuesday. Demand for higher-capacity 5G phones with larger screens is high, he noted. The replacement cycle for phones “has been forever changed,” he said. Best Buy Q3 comparable sales surged 23% year on year to $11.8 billion, said CEO Corie Barry. Online sales jumped 200% in October, said Barry, while ship-to-home speeds reached their highest level since the pandemic began. Domestic online revenue spiked 174% and to 35% of total domestic revenue, vs. 15.6% of the revenue mix last year, said the company. Barry highlighted strength in computers and home theater. Chief Financial Officer Matt Bilunas tempered expectations for the holiday quarter. He cited the surge in COVID-19 cases during a time of “significant holiday volume.” Shares closed 7% lower at $113.54.