Extreme Networks said its petition for a waiver of FCC rules for low-power indoor (LPI) devices for 6 GHz access points (APs), to be installed exclusively in indoor-only sports venues, has broad support in the industry. Other reply comments in docket 23-282 (see 2309180036) said the waiver should be rejected. The FCC will consider an order and Further NPRM Thursday on changes to 6 GHz rules (see 2310160050). “A broad array of stakeholders, representing a substantial majority of all commenters, expressed support for Extreme Networks’ request for a narrow waiver,” the company said. Approving the waiver “will not increase the risk of harmful interference to incumbent operations and will advance the goals” of the FCC’s 6 GHz order by “expanding Wi-Fi connectivity and reliable Wi-Fi-coverage in indoor arenas, which are among the most challenging broadband environments in the country,” Extreme said. AT&T said its concerns remain. Extreme seeks “an expansive waiver” of form-factor LPI devices. AT&T said. The rules were adopted as part of the 6 GHz order “to ensure that LPI devices can't be taken outdoors because the Commission’s interference analysis assumes -- and the protection of primary [fixed service] incumbents thus depends -- on emissions from LPI devices being attenuated by a substantial amount of building entry loss,” the carrier said: “AT&T’s concern -- echoed by other commenters -- is that by circumventing this protection, weatherproofed LPI APs might be operated outdoors.” Other 6 GHz incumbents also opposed the waiver. “The record fails to demonstrate that waiver relief is needed to serve the public interest, but rather is desired to reduce costs to the venues and to leapfrog the FCC’s process for approving standard power APs,” the incumbents said. The waiver would “dramatically increase the number of LPI APs, devices that operate outside the Automated Frequency Coordination process, even before the FCC has addressed multiple Incumbent field studies that have reported interference from LPI APs, and these weatherized devices could end up in the hands of consumers,” they said. The filing was signed by the Utilities Technology Council, the Edison Electric Institute, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, APCO and the Enterprise Wireless Alliance. “Because the Extreme Waiver Request fails to meet any of the Commission’s standards for granting a waiver, the request must be denied,” the Fixed Wireless Communications Coalition said: “Extreme’s request is a petition for rulemaking masquerading as a waiver request.”
T-Mobile supported a declaratory ruling, set for an FCC commissioner vote Thursday (see 2309280071), to allow E-rate funding for Wi-Fi on school buses. Carrier representatives spoke with commissioner aides and other staff. “Wi-Fi on school buses enables students to do their homework during their daily commute to and from school and when traveling to after-school events,” T-Mobile said, posted Monday in docket 13-184. “For students with bus rides in both rural and urban areas, this connectivity can play a critical role in their daily education experience.”
CTIA urged the FCC to keep its focus on encouraging broadband deployment as it tackles digital discrimination (see 2310130070). “This proceeding should set policies that are conducive to broadband deployment, including wireless investment,” CTIA said, posted Monday in docket 22-69. “This proceeding should enhance ongoing deployment efforts by adopting policies that make it easier for providers to deploy 5G and other modern broadband services while safeguarding against intentional discrimination that could undermine the success of Congress’s broadband funding programs,” CTIA said.
CTIA met with aides to FCC Commissioners Brendan Carr, Geoffrey Starks and Nathan Simington on tweaks to the wireless emergency alert draft, after meeting with an aide to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel (see 2310100056) A vote is set for Thursday. “In its comments and advocacy, CTIA has urged the Commission to focus on providing actionable information to consumers, while not disrupting the underlying and purpose-designed system architecture or otherwise impacting the system’s highly successful performance,” said a filing posted Friday in docket 15-91.
The FCC Wireless Bureau acted Friday to shore up positive train control by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) of New York, addressing frequencies in the 218-219 MHz band. The bureau authorized the use of 250 kHz of spectrum from the commission’s inventory in four counties in New York and Connecticut and deleted the authorization to use 250 kHz in five New Jersey counties, returning it to the commission’s inventory. The bureau also allowed higher power levels for the spectrum than previously allowed by FCC rules. “Our action today serves the public interest in rail safety by providing MTA spectrum needed to improve the reliability of its PTC system,” the bureau said.
The Rural Wireless Association opposed granting SpaceX special temporary authority to launch supplemental coverage from space (SCS) operations, seconding comments by AT&T (see 2310100055). “The FCC should not authorize SpaceX’s proposed operations until SpaceX can demonstrate, through proper testing, that its proposed operations will not" interfere with "adjacent operations in the 1895-1910 MHz and 1975-1990 MHz bands … and the 1915-1920 MHz and 1995-2000 MHz bands,” RWA said, posted Friday in docket 23-135. “As suggested by AT&T, if such testing is authorized, it should be authorized through an experimental license, granted by the FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology, not an STA request,” RWA said.
The FCC Wireless Bureau’s limited waiver of wireless hearing aid compatibility rules for the volume control technical standard that handset manufacturers use took effect Sept. 29, said a notice in Friday’s Federal Register. ATIS filed a petition seeking the waiver (see 2309290052).
T-Mobile sought confidential treatment of infrastructure data submitted in response to the commission’s audit of 4G and 5G mobile broadband data required by the FCC. “The Commission recognized that this infrastructure information is presumptively entitled to confidential treatment because of the ‘confidentiality and security concerns’ involved, including the potential for revealing the location of providers’ cell sites and antennas,” said a filing posted Wednesday in docket 19-195.
Wireless carriers will increasingly phase out copper connections and rely on fiber and E-band spectrum, in frequency ranges from 71 to 86 GHz, to meet their backhaul needs, said an Ericsson report released Wednesday. Ericsson projected a 50-50 split between microwave and fiber for mobile backhaul by 2030. “With the evolution of mobile technologies over time -- from 2G up to today’s 5G deployments, and shifting usage from voice to data -- backhaul capacity requirements have shifted from a few Mbps to multiple Gbps -- over 1,000 times higher,” the report said: “Over this period, microwave and fiber-based solutions have become the media of choice. Some copper is still used today, but is expected to be taken out of service by 2030.” Use of satellite connections for backhaul “is not expected to grow dramatically in the coming years,” Ericsson said.
T-Mobile is working with Seattle University on the school’s Connected Experience initiative. T-Mobile will be the primary 5G provider for a campus-wide internet network and equip the university’s staff with 5G-connected devices to streamline operations, T-Mobile said Wednesday. The company is building out high-speed internet across the campus “at a significant cost savings compared to wired solutions” and installing 5G-enabled security cameras. It's launching a program that enables international students to obtain service without a bank account or credit check. Student-led academic projects will leverage “5G innovation,” the carrier said. T-Mobile is headquartered in nearby Bellevue, Washington.