The FCC’s 900 MHz order, approved 5-0 in May, takes effect Aug. 17, says Thursday's Federal Register. The order allocates a 6 MHz swath for broadband while keeping 4 MHz for narrowband (see 2005130057).

New America’s Open Technology Institute urged the FCC to act on a proposal to allocate part of the 5.9 GHz band to Wi-Fi (see 2004300032). “As the 5.9 GHz band remains stuck in idle, Wi-Fi’s use of the neighboring 5 GHz band has accelerated to the point that the unlicensed bands on which nearly all Americans rely for affordable connectivity, particularly indoors, have become increasingly congested due to more devices, more high bandwidth applications, and more off-loading of mobile carrier traffic onto fixed networks,” OTI said in a paper, posted Wednesday in docket 19-138. Dedicated short-range communications is “outdated, costly to implement, and at this point the amount of spectrum allocated two decades ago … is not being used, nor is it necessary to achieve the critical vehicle safety communications functions that justify the allocation," it said.

The FCC approved Key Bridge to be an environmental sensing capability operator in various markets, for the 3.5 GHz citizens broadband radio service. “Key Bridge has demonstrated the technical capability to operate its ESC properly and in compliance with the Commission’s rules,” said a Tuesday notice by the Wireless Bureau and Office of Engineering and Technology. The FCC required the company to submit its sensing software to NTIA for retesting.

Oppositions to petitions for reconsideration of the FCC’s April 6 GHz order are due July 29, replies Aug. 10, in docket 18-195, said Tuesday's Federal Register. APCO, CTIA, the Fixed Wireless Communications Coalition and Verizon sought recon (see 2007080057).

The National Association of Tower Erectors supports proposed changes to wireless siting rules proposed in an NPRM FCC commissioners approved 3-2 last month (see 2006090060). “It is essential that we as a nation commit to facilitating tower modification without excessive regulatory mandates as a critical means of closing the digital divide and enhancing communications capabilities,” NATE said in a filing posted Monday in docket 19-250.

Public Knowledge spoke with an aide to Chairman Ajit Pai on its request the FCC extend the 2.5 GHz tribal priority application window beyond Aug. 3 (see 2007060037), until Feb. 1. “Getting quick approval from tribal governments is particularly difficult during this unprecedented time, especially because the FCC asks the Tribes to weigh all of the factors that go into creating and maintaining a network before applying,” PK said in a filing posted Monday in docket 18-120.

The Office of Engineering and Technology rejected a petition for reconsideration of the FCC’s April 6 GHz order by Encina Communications (see 2007080057), as it was filed four days late, said a Monday order. “The 30-day period for filing petitions for reconsideration is statutory and generally may not be waived."

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai told the American Council of Technology-Industry Advisory Council he has hopes for the citizens broadband radio service auction. In two weeks, “the Commission will begin the auction of 3.5 GHz Priority Access Licenses, making available 70 megahertz of valuable mid-band spectrum for 5G,” said the text of Pai speech in Friday's Daily Digest: “Over 270 applicants have qualified to bid.”

Public interest groups asked the FCC to launch an NPRM on reallocating the 12 GHz band. “In light of the vast progress made in the last two decades on spectrum sharing technology, and the ever-increasing need for new spectrum ... the current very low-power and one-way constraints on terrestrial use of the band are antiquated, unnecessary and a hindrance to bridging the digital divide,” said a filing in RM-11768. Public Knowledge, the Open Technology Institute at New America, Access Humboldt, Consumer Federation of America, Next Century Cities and National Consumer Law Center were among signers. The band could be used for fixed and mobile broadband “with mid-band propagation characteristics significantly better than the millimeter wave bands at 24 GHz and beyond,” they said. Also Thursday, Commissioner Mike O'Rielly urged a look at the swath (see 2007090027).

5G has huge implications for mobile entertainment, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said Thursday in remarks at a Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry conference. "Imagine how much more they will demand this content when you get rid of slow load times and mid-stream interruptions.” Pai stressed advances in virtual and augmented reality made possible by 5G. He said 5G's m-entertainment boom may provide more competition to MVPDs, online streamers and others: "When Netflix is trying to figure out how to offer a better value proposition than not only cable multisystem operators and other streaming video services, but also video-game makers, all competitors will have to step up their efforts." Pai said the FCC remains focused on cutting regulation and making more spectrum available for broadband. “We haven’t been eliminating rules for the sake of eliminating rules,” he said: “Our goals have been to match the rules to the times, and to promote innovation and investment in faster, better wired and wireless networks.” In 2019, consumers spent more than $120 billion on digital games worldwide, he said. “Last year, 52% of Gen Z and 46% of millennials in the United States regularly played video games for hour-plus stretches.”