T-Mobile disputed claims by US Electrodynamics about needed protections for telemetry, tracking and command (TT&C) gateway sites in the C band. The proposal “unnecessarily constrains potential future terrestrial use of the band,” the carrier said in a filing posted Tuesday in docket 18-122: T-Mobile “has supported efforts to protect” TT&C/Gateway operations, but “the protections that [the company] seeks were not only considered and rejected by the Commission, they also go beyond what is necessary to protect TT&C/Gateway sites.” US Electrodynamics didn't comment Wednesday.

Nokia supported a Verizon reconsideration petition seeking higher power levels for some unlicensed operations in the 6 GHz band (see 2006260066). “Nokia supports more robust technical parameters that facilitate 5G services, subject to” automated frequency coordination, said a Wednesday filing coming in docket 18-295. “Nokia has been extremely active in this proceeding, submitting several technical studies and advocating to reach a result that will support new robust unlicensed operations while protecting critical incumbent Fixed Service use."

As the U.S. moves toward 5G, it should focus on modular architecture with open interfaces, which would make networks less reliant on equipment vendors Huawei, Nokia, Ericsson and Samsung, the Center for a New American Security said Tuesday. The U.S. “has the opportunity to regain momentum by taking a fresh approach to 5G” in the aftermath of COVID-19, CNAS said. It warned the pandemic will likely slow deployments. It said: “A modular architecture allows an operator to choose multiple vendors for a range of offerings, rather than being locked in with a single large integrated vendor. Open interfaces -- the ability of equipment from any vendor to work with that of another -- make that possible. Such a shift means upending the industry status quo.”

The FCC published its June wireless infrastructure declaratory ruling (see 2006090060) in the Federal Register Monday. The 3-2 order, which seeks to speed the collocation of wireless infrastructure on existing cell towers, took effect June 10.

The wireless industry is making “significant progress” in addressing security risks of the diameter protocol, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said Monday. The protocol was a Communications Security, Reliability and Interoperability Council focus, and carriers earlier say they are working with the agency and following best practices (see 2003120030). “We found widespread adoption across the industry, with implementation of these measures either completed or underway by most providers,” said Public Safety Bureau Chief Lisa Fowlkes.

The Aerospace Industries Association said the FCC shouldn’t make a quick decision on a request for waiver for drones of 450 MHz general aviation air-ground radiotelephone service rules by Aura Network Systems and A2G Communications (see 2006240023). Other commenters said drones need more spectrum for command and control (C2) and the request should be approved. Several reminded of a pending rulemaking on use of the 960-1164 MHz and 5030-5091 MHz bands by drones (see 1912270039), posted through Monday in docket 20-185. AIA raised air safety concerns. “Given that the waiver is seeking a change in the use of spectrum from the Land-Mobile service … to an aviation safety use, AURA should be required to consult with" FAA, the group said. Boeing also raised safety issues: “Issuing an expedited waiver to a single provider, in a frequency band that has not been demonstrated to be safe for UAS [unmanned aircraft system] C2 operations, is not the best path.” The 5030-5091 MHz band is allocated for drone control “pursuant to international consensus,” Boeing noted. The National Public Safety Telecommunications Council endorsed waiver, warning “additional spectrum for payload and possibly for command and control will be needed for effective UAS operations, given the expanding demand for UAS.” The Enterprise Wireless Alliance “supports whatever waiver relief the FCC considers necessary,” EWA said: “This is a logical response to technology advances that often exceed the pace of regulatory changes.” EWA agreed drones need spectrum beyond 450 MHz. The Edison Electric Institute said drones are increasingly important to electric utilities and the waiver should be approved. The band’s “propagation characteristics, bandwidth and lack of other incumbents makes it well suited for command and control and non-payload communications at low altitudes and a cost-effective nationwide coverage for low-altitude, Beyond Visual Line of Sight and other expanded operations,” EEI said. Federated Wireless said dynamic sharing can prevent harmful interference.

The citizens broadband radio service hit $486.5 million after five rounds Monday. Bids were at $357 million at the end of the first day Thursday (see [2007230074). New Street’s Blair Levin cautioned against judging based on how much money it brings in, the usual auction measure. “The CBRS auction is not about how much the spectrum is worth,” Levin told investors: “The importance here will be determined by other, more subtle metrics. Such metrics would include the extent to which incumbents can use shared spectrum to reduce their cost structure, cable can use CBRS to provide their own wireless services, and new providers who control specific areas, such as universities and office park owners, can use the spectrum to offer niche services.”

Despite Apple’s “hit” with the $399 SE, the company’s quarter will be "suppressed” due to smartphone weakness in the U.S., said eMarketer Friday, before the company's Thursday earnings report for the period ended June 30. Most analysts expect Apple revenue to struggle to match last year's numbers as a result, but services will likely remain a growth area, with people spending more time on their smartphones during the pandemic, said Yoram Wurmser. The research firm expects Apple’s share of U.S. smartphone users to remain flat, at a 45.6% share by year-end; Android’s share will be 53.8%, dominating smartphone usage through 2022.

MEI Telecom and Avangrid Networks payments to participate in the auction of priority access licenses in the citizens broadband radio service, late, respectively, by one business day and two business days, won't be treated as on time, the FCC Office of Economics and Analytics said. The orders (see here and here) in Friday's Daily Digest denied the companies' requests for waiver of the upfront payment deadline. Waving the deadline for MEI raises fairness questions for others that met the deadline, staff said. Timely submission of an upfront payment helps establish that an applicant is financially qualified to take part in an auction, said the Avangrid order.

The FCC fined HobbyKing $2.86 million for marketing noncompliant drone transmitters. The devices link the unit's transmitters by video with users flying the drones, the commission said in an item in Friday's Daily Digest (see related items here). After getting complaints, the Enforcement Bureau investigated, finding 65 models that operated in unauthorized RF bands and sometimes at excessive transmission power. After warning the company to follow the rules, the commission received more complaints and ordered HobbyKing to provide information on its marketing of the transmitters, the agency said. "Yet HobbyKing provided no further response, as required by law." If the retailer doesn't pay in a month, the FCC said it will refer the debt to DOJ for collection. "Continued failure to comply with the equipment marketing requirements is likely to be met with additional sanctions," warned a forfeiture order. "The Company’s pledge to use 'best efforts' not to market additional noncompliant products identified by the Bureau is not sufficient." Commissioner Mike O'Rielly noted the company's actions aren't "analogous to the equipment authorization rule changes I have proposed" that would allow presale of devices before his agency's OK (see 2006020069). That reflects "today’s world where people are used to Kickstarter campaigns and ordering handsets weeks before they are delivered into consumers’ eager hands." These rule changes "can be effectively implemented without causing any harm," he added, but "the same cannot be said of HobbyKing’s actions." Repeated attempts to reach a company representative were unsuccessful.