Smith Bagley countered Verizon arguments for the FCC to rethink an April change in the Mobility Fund challenge process rules by the Wireless and Wireline bureaus. The bureaus increased the buffer radius from 250 meters to 400 meters, which Verizon said will mean the challenge process is less effective (see 1806220041). “The Reconsideration Order reflects an understanding of the fact that, if the testing parameters are too rigorous, less challenges will be undertaken because the burdens and costs associated with the data collections will be too great,” said Smith Bagley, an eligible telecom carrier in three Western states, in docket 10-90. “This result must be avoided because it would increase the likelihood that inaccuracies in unsubsidized coverage claims made by incumbent carriers will go undetected, and service areas that should be eligible for MF-II support will in fact be deprived.”

General Motors said it's significantly expanding the number of its vehicles with vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) technology, based on dedicated short-range communications in the 5.9 GHz band. GM, with Toyota the main proponent of DSRC, faced criticism for offering it in only one low-volume vehicle, the Cadillac CRS (see 1803140055). That’s changing, GM told the FCC in docket 13-49. GM said it plans to offer V2V in its Cadillac Crossover by 2023 and then extend it to all of its Cadillac line. “Using V2V, compatible vehicles can be notified of hazardous road conditions, traffic light status, changing work zones and more,” GM said. “With a range of nearly 1,000 feet, drivers can be alerted to threats in time to avoid a crash.” The FCC is examining possible changes to its allocation in the band with an eye to sharing with Wi-Fi (see 1805240058).

Sony’s Tokyo parent company applied July 9 to register the “QN” plain-text trademark for a wide variety of possible commercial tech products, including TVs, speakers, headphones and smartwatches, Patent and Trademark Office records show. Sony already has “QN” in commercial use as part of a model-number designation for consumer accessories, including AC chargers and lithium-ion battery packs for smartphones. Sony didn’t comment Friday.

The order streamlining Part 22 rules governing cellular service licensees approved at Thursday's FCC commissioners' meeting (see 1807120033) was released Friday (see here).

The Wi-Fi Alliance isn’t enthusiastic about the 4.9 GHz band now dedicated to public safety, the group said in a filing on FCC meetings in docket 17-183. “The limited bandwidth and in-band and adjacent band incumbent operations at 4.9 GHz appear to preclude the suitability of this band as a candidate for Wi-Fi operations.” The alliance encouraged prompt action on Wi-Fi in the 5.9 GHz band. “The Wi-Fi industry is eager to maximize the use of this valuable spectrum resource following the resolution of the current regulatory uncertainty,” the group said. The alliance also welcomed an FCC focus on the 6 GHz band, as promised by Chairman Ajit Pai (see 1806200058). “Dramatic increase in use of Wi-Fi without a meaningful increase in the midband spectrum available for Wi-Fi access has resulted in spectrum congestion that Wi-Fi Alliance only expects to worsen over time.” Alliance CEO Edgar Figueroa and others from the group met with Commissioners Mike O’Rielly and Jessica Rosenworcel, aides to the other commissioners and Julius Knapp, chief of the Office of Engineering and Technology.

The FCC allowed the Missouri Farm Bureau (MOFB) to join the Mobility Fund Phase II challenge process. The commission limited participation in disputes about areas found to be presumptively ineligible for MF-II support to governmental entities and providers required to file Form 477 data, but the farm bureau argued it has “bona fide interest in the challenge process because the promotion of reliable 4G LTE service throughout the state of Missouri is part of its mission as a not-for-profit advocacy organization that is dedicated to supporting farms and ranch families and working for the benefit of all Missourians,” said the Wireless Bureau Auctions Division in Friday’s order in docket 10-208. “MOFB also has a plausible ability to submit the data necessary to support a valid challenge.” The division conditioned waiver on the farm bureau complying with its representations and MF-II challenge process rules.

The FCC engaged extensively with tribes before changing wireless infrastructure rules in March (see 1803220027), Chairman Ajit Pai said in a letter last month to Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., that was released Thursday. “The Commission engaged extensively with Tribal Nations, inter-Tribal organizations, and state and local historic preservation officers.” Changes are needed, Pai said. “These rules are a poor fit for the 5G networks of the future,” he said. “Reforming them is critical to bringing next-generation wireless services to the American people; all our work to unleash spectrum for consumer use will be pointless if carriers can't deploy the physical infrastructure needed to carry ever-increasing amounts of wireless traffic.” The FCC approved the order 3-2 in March (see 1803220027). The text of the order describes in detail the consultations that occurred before approval. “The consultations and meetings have occurred as detailed in the order,” Commissioner Brendan Carr said then. Tribal interests alleged the FCC failed to do legally required consultations before acting on revised wireless infrastructure rules (see 1803150058).

Free State Foundation scholars said Thursday T-Mobile buying Sprint has public interest benefits, a key question the FCC will ask. “There is strong evidence that the merger, if approved, would benefit consumers and businesses by enabling faster mobile broadband speeds, higher data capacity, and reduced per-megabit prices,” FSF said. “A combined T-Mobile/Sprint likely would have the resources needed to rapidly deploy a nationwide 5G network.”

Dozens of models of LG smartphones and other devices willfully infringe four WiLAN patents on 4G wireless technology, the intellectual property licensing firm alleged in a complaint (in Pacer) filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in San Diego. WiLAN “was the first company in the world to build Wi-Fi and 4G data speeds into mobile devices, with speeds reaching up to 100 Mbps, and did so "a decade before 4G would become the standard in the wireless industry,” said the firm. LG’s infringement gives it “an unfair advantage” over its competitors, “many of whom have chosen to do the right thing” and license their use of WiLAN’s wireless technologies and patents, it said. WiLAN made “numerous efforts” unsuccessfully to license the technology to LG, but the company uses WiLAN’s 4G technologies “without paying anything,” it said. LG declined comment.

The FCC plans a daylong workshop July 31 at the Lac du Flambeau Reservation in Wisconsin to discuss a challenge process on areas initially deemed ineligible for USF in the Mobility Fund Phase II reverse auction. “There will also be presentations on other Commission proceedings and programs of Tribal interest, including overviews of the Universal Service Fund, the Tribal Radio Priority, and the Tribal Engagement Obligation,” the FCC said. “There will be an opportunity for government-to-government consultations with Tribal leaders or their designees in a collaborative and constructive environment.” The workshop starts at 8:30 a.m.