The FCC Wireless Bureau approved a waiver allowing the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians to receive licenses to use the 2.5 GHz band on two tracts of trust land in North Dakota. Trust lands were excluded from eligibility for the licenses under FCC rules. “In this instance, we find that strictly applying the Tribal lands definition would be inconsistent with the Tribal Window’s purpose of providing wireless communications services in rural Tribal areas,” the bureau said Thursday.

AI has become the most important technology in smartphones, reported Strategy Analytics Wednesday, saying 71% of smartphones sold globally this year will use AI. It's used on smartphones for intelligent power optimization, imaging, virtual assistants and device performance improvement. Benefits include lower latency, better data privacy and lower power consumption, said analyst Ville-Petteri Ukonaho. Camera AI enables object recognition and motion detection, noted analyst Ken Hyers.

The Wireless ISP Association sought FCC action on bands, in a call with acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. WISPA asked the agency to wrap up work on the 6 GHz Further NPRM and schedule a single-round, sealed-bid auction for 2.5 GHz. “Move forward with the proposal to segment” the 5.9 GHz band and “allocate 45 megahertz for unlicensed use,” WISPA said in a Wednesday posting in 18-295 and other dockets. On the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, WISPA said the FCC should “rely on its experienced and knowledgeable staff to thoroughly review long-form applications to determine whether auction winners are ‘reasonably capable’ of meeting their performance obligations, and to resist efforts to pre-judge certain applicants or applications.”

Mavenir asked the FCC to add five paragraphs to the open radio access network notice of inquiry, scheduled for a March 17 commissioners vote (see 2102240063). The NOI “does not go far enough in determining whether there are barriers to entry caused by control over and manipulation of the supply chain,” said a filing posted Wednesday in docket 21-63. Mavenir spoke with aides to all four commissioners. The Telecom Infra Project urged the FCC to ask more questions aimed at inviting additional comments. “Broaden the scope of the draft NOI to encompass other open and disaggregated network elements, including Open Core and [open optical and packet transport solutions],” the group said in a call with staff from the Wireless and International bureaus and the Office of Engineering and Technology. “While the current draft does contain a reference to ‘packet core,’ a clearer elucidation of scope may encourage non-RAN-focused commenters to participate.”

The Wireless Infrastructure Association said the Wi-Fi Alliance will partner with the group at WIA’s Connectivity Expo conference, Aug. 3-6 in Boston. The alliance will offer a keynote update on Wi-Fi 6 and the 6 GHz band.

The International Association of Fire Chiefs supports petitions for reconsideration of the 4.9 GHz order submitted by the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council and Public Safety Spectrum Alliance, said a filing posted Tuesday in docket 07-100. “We encourage the FCC to work with the national public safety organizations to develop a proposal that protects the operations of incumbent public safety agencies." The FCC 3-2 reallocated the band to the states in September (see 2009300050).

“Move quickly” to grant licenses to winning bidders in the C-band auction to allow “rapid deployment” in the band, T-Mobile representatives urged aides to acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. Recognizing a 2.5 GHz auction is “unlikely” before the October 3.45 GHz sale, a filing posted Tuesday in docket 19-348 encouraged "the steps necessary to begin the 2.5 GHz band auction soon after the 3.45 GHz band auction concludes.” Temporary changes to allow E-rate funds for remote learning is a welcome step, but the commission should consider making the changes permanent, T-Mobile said (see 2102180020). The FCC's data collection order also "suffers from fatal flaws" and should be stayed "until the results of the [emergency broadband benefit program] are clear," if not reconsidered or vacated, the company added (see 2102260039).

LightShed initiated coverage of Anterix with a “buy” rating Monday. “The power outages in Texas underscore the need for critical infrastructure investments,” said analyst Walter Piecyk. “Reliability, security, safety and control are all key requirements of critical infrastructure, and each are byproducts of a private wireless network.”

International Association of Fire Chiefs officials raised concerns over the FCC’s 4.9 GHz order in a call with Commissioner Nathan Simington. The FCC reallocated the band to the states with a 3-2 vote in September (see 2009300050). “Public safety utilizes the 4.9 GHz band to host broadband intranet networks, video camera networks, bomb disposal robot operations, and airborne public safety video operations,” the group said in a Monday posting in docket 07-114. It warned of interference to public safety from opening 6 GHz for unlicensed use.

Dish Network is buying Republic Wireless, a mobile virtual network operator on the T-Mobile network. Dish, which is building a stand-alone 5G network, gets some 200,000 subscribers, the Republic Wireless brand and other assets, Dish said Monday. "Republic has created a loyal following and established a brand known for innovation, customer service and value. We plan to build upon that," said John Swieringa, Dish chief operating officer. Citi’s Michael Rollins told investors more deals are possible: “DISH could pursue an acquisition of TDS and US Cellular that could provide DISH with immediate rural coverage, significant revenue and subscriber scale that can leverage the T-Mobile wholesale deal for national coverage (which could be cheaper than its current roaming arrangements), a healthy spectrum position in its markets, and additional assets that could [be] held or be monetized,” he said. Dish hopes the deal will close in Q2.