Apple representatives met with FCC staff, at their request, on a proposed requirement carriers identify the vertical axis of wireless 911 calls. An order is set for a vote at the Nov. 19 commissioners’ meeting (see 1910290054). Apple “has and will continue to invest and innovate in technologies and approaches that provide our customers with devices that offer reliable and granular location accuracy, and reliable battery performance in the emergency situations,” said a filing posted Wednesday in docket 07-114. Emergency calling location capabilities “originated with permanently fixed landline telephones whose locations could be accurately conveyed” but wireless calls are “inherently probabilistic and can accurately be represented only with clear and non-zero uncertainties,” Apple said: Requirements “must reflect this fundamental distinction.” Apple said “vertical location capabilities must be implemented at large scale and under real-world operational constraints without negatively impacting the user.” Apple lawyers met FCC Chief Technology Officer Eric Burger and Public Safety Bureau staff.
Nov. 8 is launch for LG's G8X ThinQ smartphone, with preorders slated for Friday. Sprint said Tuesday carrier switchers are eligible to buy the phone for $15 a month. Current customers can get the phone for that price if they’re upgrade-eligible or if they add a service line. Customers can get a free LG Dual Screen by mail-in rebate. AT&T is offering the $780 smartphone for free -- and tossing in a free LG Dual Screen on preorders -- for enrolling a new line on eligible plans; credits are applied after 30 payments, it said. The 6.4-inch smartphone has an OLED screen and three cameras and allows users to work off two screens simultaneously.
Adopting a proposal by CTIA and the Wireless Infrastructure Association to mandate new rules or clarify existing rules for Section 6409(a) of 2012's Spectrum Act could harm public safety, the Communications Workers of America said Tuesday in docket 19-250. The FCC sought comment in September (see 1909130062). “Applying the proposed Section 6409(a) shot clock and deemed granted remedies to all authorizations would endanger public and worker safety,” CWA said: “Modifications to wireless equipment and infrastructure often involve complex and technical work. While Section 6409(a) may describe the physical dimensions of eligible modifications as insubstantial, the safety concerns implicated in these modifications are considerable. Work done without appropriate procedures and with inadequate oversight can lead to dangerous conditions.”
T-Mobile released another quarter of solid results (see 1910280060) but did little to address concerns about the pending buy of Sprint, New Street’s Jonathan Chaplin told investors. “Results were better than consensus again, and consensus is used to this trend,” Chaplin wrote: “Guidance was increased again, and now sits above where consensus is for the year, and we are pretty sure management is leaving something in the tank to beat next quarter too.” Little is changing on the Sprint deal, he said: “The deal is still … the deal. Management didn’t say anything that will materially move the odds.” T-Mobile could fall behind on 5G if approval is long delayed, said MoffettNathanson’s Craig Moffett. “Delivering a compelling user experience will require densification in mid-band,” he said: “Their mid-band strategy, if the deal is approved, is to use Sprint’s 2.5 GHz spectrum. But what is it if the deal is rejected?”
The U.S. should push to open the 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi and oppose efforts at the World Radiocommunication Conference to study it for other use, high-tech players said in a letter posted Monday in docket 17-183. They asked the FCC "to remain steadfast to the goal of opening the 6 GHz band to unlicensed use and to consistently work toward this goal with respect to both its domestic and international agendas. ... Our companies, all headquartered in the U.S., are pushing hard to preserve the nation’s technological leadership. The U.S. is the world leader in unlicensed technologies, and specifically in Wi-Fi.” Some want ITU to evaluate the band for international mobile telecom use. “A technology is recognized as IMT through a formal, lengthy ITU process,” the companies said: “As part of the U.S. Delegation to the WRC, the FCC should oppose including 6 GHz in an IMT study.” Apple, Broadcom, Cisco, Facebook, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Microsoft and Ruckus Networks signed. Intel officials urged use of the band for Wi-Fi in meetings with all commissioners, except Geoffrey Starks. They also met with Office of Engineering and Technology Chief Julius Knapp.
Groups concerned about automotive safety asked the FCC to protect 5.9 GHz. They wrote Chairman Ajit Pai and the other commissioners, posted Monday in docket 13-49. “With the tremendous potential to improve transportation safety and the growth in demand for vehicle-to-everything (V2X) services, it is essential that the entire 5.9 GHz band -- all seven channels -- be retained for V2X, and that all measures are taken to smooth the path for deployment,” the groups said: “Harmful interference from unlicensed devices sharing the same band could affect the speed at which a V2X message is delivered or even prevent delivery entirely. As new technology continues to be deployed, now is the time for the FCC to commit to protecting the progress and investment made in V2X communications.” Signers included AAA, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Center for Auto Safety, Consumer Reports, Governors Highway Safety Association, National Association of State EMS Officials and National Sheriffs' Association.
There were no major changes to a final version of an order and Further NPRM the FCC released Monday aimed at streamlining rules and procedures for the final stage of the 800 MHz band rebanding, and approved 5-0 Friday (see Notebook at end of 1910250036), based on a side-by-side comparison with the earlier draft. Only Chairman Ajit Pai and Commissioner Mike O’Rielly had written statements. “By streamlining our processes, I’m confident that we’ll be able to bring this 15-year project to a swifter resolution, which will be good for all involved,” Pai said.
Verizon 5G is in Dallas and Omaha in limited pockets, bringing markets to 15, it said Friday. The carrier’s next-generation service is available in parts of Chicago; Minneapolis; Denver; Providence, Rhode Island; St. Paul, Minnesota; Atlanta; Detroit; Indianapolis; Washington; Phoenix; Boise; Panama City, Florida; and New York. It plans 30 cities by year-end.
AT&T agreed to a sale-leaseback of its remaining company-owned domestic wireless towers to Peppertree Capital Management. Under the deal worth up to $680 million, Peppertree will buy more than 1,000 AT&T towers and AT&T will lease back capacity on the towers. “The sale is consistent with AT&T’s plans to monetize non-strategic assets as it continues to pay down debt,” AT&T said Friday.
T-Mobile asked for waiver of FCC wireless emergency alert rules so it can do testing. A new geo-targeting requirement for WEA messages becomes effective Nov. 30, T-Mobile said in docket 15-91, posted Friday. “T-Mobile wishes to engage in live testing of network and device geo-targeting capabilities prior to the … deadline.”