The FCC should ignore arguments by NAB that the agency must impose a 20-minute recheck rule for white spaces devices, as part of TV white spaces (TVWS) rules, Google said in a letter to the FCC. The letter tracks arguments Google made to the agency in March (see 1603140047). NAB clarified that under its proposed implementation of the 20-minute rule, a device that’s in power-saving mode and not transmitting wouldn't need to contact a TVWS database, Google said. “This is a sensible and important clarification that the Commission should adopt,” Google added. “This point does not, however, materially advance NAB’s argument for subjecting all unlicensed channels to a 20-minute requirement. Google has shown that such a rule would be unreasonably burdensome and not justified by broadcasting requirements.” If NAB’s proposal is adopted, it would be impossible “to use TVWS devices that may have only intermittent Internet access when operating, such as remote controls or devices used on agricultural equipment or watercraft that routinely travel within a defined area such as farm or lake,” Google said. The letter was posted Friday in docket 14-165. “It is ironic that Google’s letter discusses the need for compromise and a balancing of interests," a NAB sokesman said in response. "The commission has taken significant steps to relax the rules for white spaces operations while providing, for the first time, white spaces in the most congested markets in the country. All NAB asks is that the FCC take steps that will actually work to protect licensed users. Google’s proposal does not meet that standard.”

Last week’s National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Public Safety Communications Research meeting (see 1606070037) helped move FirstNet closer to launch, said Jeff Bratcher, FirstNet chief technology officer, in a Thursday blog post. “One take away from the conference was the important work PSCR is now transitioning into,” Bratcher wrote. “As part of the same legislation that created FirstNet, NIST was allocated specific funding in the amount of $300 million to further and accelerate research and development for public safety broadband technologies. There was much discussion last week on how industry, public safety, and academia will be able to participate in the upcoming prize and challenge competitions.”

The FCC Wireless Bureau extended the deadline for comments on a proposed Amended Nationwide Programmatic Agreement (NPA) for the Collocation of Wireless Antennas until June 27, said a notice to be published in Friday's Federal Register. The bureau proposed the amendments last month and the original due date was June 13 (see 1605120046). The notice proposes an exclusion for small wireless antennas and associated equipment mounted on buildings or non-tower structures or in the interior of buildings that are more than 45 years old if they aren't historic properties and are outside of historic districts and not subject to concerns the collocation would otherwise affect a historic structure. The current exclusion requires reviews for all facilities on buildings more than 45 years old. The FCC released the initial collocation NPA 15 years ago.

High-band spectrum, available in spectrum blocks that are 200 MHz or larger, will be critical to successful 5G deployment, CTIA said in a paper released Thursday. “These larger blocks will enable operators to carry significantly more traffic in a single channel, at higher speeds, and in support of many more wireless devices.” The wireless association said these high-frequency channels extend only 200 meters or so, equivalent to city blocks. “Carriers will need to deploy thousands of small cells and other infrastructure to take advantage of the new spectrum and provide users with service,” CTIA said. The group urged the FCC to approve rules for high-band spectrum this summer. “By moving swiftly to make high-band spectrum available for 5G, and adopting a regulatory framework for these bands as close as possible to the rules used for the record-setting AWS-3 auction, the FCC can establish a spectrum environment conducive to 5G investment,” the paper said. “Wireless operators are ready to invest in new infrastructure to introduce 5G in high-band spectrum under rules that are proven to support mobile broadband services.” Timing is critical, CTIA said: “Acting this summer can ensure the U.S. remains the global mobile leader.”

Jot Carpenter, top Capitol Hill lobbyist at CTIA for more than a decade, will leave the association July 15 to start his own consulting practice, the group said Thursday. Carpenter was previously at AT&T and the Telecommunications Industry Association. He had been an aide to the late Rep. Mike Oxley, R-Ohio. Carpenter “will be missed at CTIA, but we are excited to support his new venture and hope to partner with Jot for years to come,” said CTIA CEO Meredith Baker in an emailed statement. CTIA Executive Vice President Brad Gillen will oversee CTIA’s Hill team until a successor to Carpenter is picked, CTIA said. Carpenter is vice president-government affairs at CTIA.

The FCC should decline to say the U.S. wireless market is competitive, the Competitive Carriers Association urged in reply comments on the upcoming wireless competition report, said a news release. “AT&T and Verizon continue to stifle the CMRS marketplace, and as these two largest carriers continue to acquire additional spectrum and foreclose opportunities for smaller rivals, the current market cannot be considered effectively competitive,” said CCA President Steve Berry. “CCA fully supports FCC efforts to promote competition and innovation, and the FCC can help achieve this important goal and facilitate deployment of next generation technologies by reexamining and re-tooling certain policies.”

New rules for wireless mics after the TV incentive auction, approved by the FCC in August (see 1508060050), took effect Wednesday, said a commission notice in Wednesday's Federal Register. The Office of Management and Budget approved all but one change, the FCC said. That exception applies to the rules for the wireless medical telemetry service, which operates in TV channel 37. “It’s not clear what is holding up OMB approval” for WTMS, Fletcher Heald said in a blog post. “We’ll keep our eyes out for any further announcements.”

The IoT is still “nascent,” but as technology continues to spread, NTIA “is working to understand the challenges and benefits the IoT poses and what role government could play in promoting its growth,” it said in a blog post Wednesday. In April, NTIA sought comment on the IoT. “Last week, we posted the more than 130 responses we received,” wrote Rafi Goldberg and Travis Hall, policy analysts at the agency. “We are early in the process of analyzing the comments.” Some observers question what NTIA will accomplish in its look at IoT (see 1606060042). The analysts said NTIA got more than 130 responses. “One of the questions we asked in our request for comment was how to best measure IoT and its impact,” they wrote. “The responses to these and other questions will help shape our future Digital Nation research as we work to better understand how connected devices are used by the American public. NTIA will also be hosting an IoT workshop later this year and will be drafting an issue-spotting, agenda-setting green paper, which will identify key issues impacting deployment of IoT, as well as benefits and challenges and possible roles for government and the private sector in fostering the growth of IoT.”

T-Mobile for the sixth time expanded the lineup of networks available as part of its zero-rated Binge On service. Online gaming streams featuring League of Legends and Hearthstone and shows on PBS and PBS Kids now stream using Binge On, T-Mobile said Tuesday in a news release. “Why limit yourself when you can binge on and on and on?” said John Legere, T-Mobile CEO. “Whatever you and your family watch -- from Jon Snow to Elmo -- Binge On has everyone covered. … So go ahead, binge on entire seasons of Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad and The Walking Dead and never worry about using up your high-speed data.” Almost 90 video providers now offer programming on Binge On, the carrier said. Binge On, introduced in November, allows subscribers to stream video from a wide number of services without usage counting against a customer’s monthly data bucket (see 1511120045).

NTIA reopened the window for nominations to the Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee Tuesday. Nominations closed May 13, NTIA noted. “In reopening this application window, NTIA seeks to expand the pool of applicants and best ensure the composition of the committee reflects balanced points of view." The new deadline is June 24, NTIA said in a notice.