The Small UAV Coalition opposed a February petition by the Aerospace Industries Association asking the FCC to act on technical and operational rules for using the 5030-5091 MHz band for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) controls (see 1802090049). In April, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau asked for comment on the petition in RM-11798. The proposal requires further study, the coalition said. “The narrowness of the band may make it impractical for UAS operations in uncontrolled and low altitude air space,” the group said. “The petitioner’s arguments for expedition are not persuasive and indeed make the case for more analysis and due diligence.”

Three items addressing the high-band spectrum carriers are using for 5G have been circulated for an FCC vote, according the latest items on the circulation list. The items address requests for waiver or time extension for 24 GHz licenses held by FiberTower; AT&T’s buy of 39 GHz licenses from FiberTower, which was authorized by the Wireless Bureau in February (see 1802080055); and Verizon’s buy of high-frequency licenses from Straight Path, authorized by the Wireless Bureau in January (see 1801180046).

Incumbent licenses and leases in the 28 GHz band were converted to the upper microwave flexible use service (UMFUS) in the FCC's Universal Licensing System, the FCC Wireless Bureau said Friday in docket 14-177. Incumbent licenses and leases in the 39 GHz band also were converted to UMFUS in areas where that's possible, the bureau said. “We encourage licensees to review newly-converted UMFUS licenses and leases to ensure that they properly reflect the spectrum frequencies and market areas previously authorized under either the Local Multipoint Distribution Service (LMDS) or 39 GHz licenses,” the order said. "Licensees should report any discrepancies.”

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority needs millions for its six-year project to upgrade radio and cellular communications in Metro tunnels (see 1802020015), said WMATA General Manager Paul Wiedefeld in a Tuesday letter to FCC Commissioner Mike O’Rielly released Friday. It would be “a great assistance” if O’Rielly can identify grants or federal funding, Wiedefeld wrote. WMATA spent about $50.95 million of the project's estimated $333.35 million budget, most of it on design efforts and cable infrastructure installation underground, he said. “The project remains on schedule, with anticipated activation of the radio system expected by the end of 2021 and additional supplemental coverage areas (in-building coverage) expected by the end of 2022.” WMATA installed cable management equipment on about 60 percent (60 miles) of tunnel walls, and new cable on about 40 percent (40 miles), he said.

Accessories distributor Bluefin recalled wireless phone chargers due to a burn hazard, said the Consumer Product Safety Commission Thursday. The company received three reports of the circular chargers overheating; no injuries were reported. The chargers, made in China with clear edges and a white plastic center, were distributed as a promotional item to attendees at the FICO World trade show in Miami Beach and at other events in April. The recall affects some 3,000 units with the model number AC16B. Users can call Bluefin toll-free at 877-211-7220 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT Monday-Friday, email at recall@logoincluded.com or go to www.logoincluded.com and click on the recall link at the bottom of the page for more information, said CPSC.

The FCC Wireless Bureau said it will allow Sprint to deploy 800 MHz wideband operations in parts of the San Antonio National Public Safety Planning Advisory Committee region before 800 MHz rebanding is completed there. “Granting the Modification Request will permit LTE deployment in a total of 39 counties -- including 30 counties where we have granted similar waiver relief in addition to nine counties where Sprint has yet to deploy LTE -- providing Sprint’s subscribers access to these valuable broadband wireless services while protecting the remaining public safety entities from harmful interference,” the bureau said in a letter to the carrier in docket 18-542. “We therefore find that granting the Modification Request is in the public interest.”

The Enterprise Wireless Alliance and pdvWireless have addressed Sensus concerns about broadband in the 900 MHz band, Sensus said in a filing at the FCC in docket 17-200. Sensus, which works with critical infrastructure companies on their communications needs, said its concerns were over adjacent spectrum in the narrowband personal communications services (NPCS) band at 901-902/940- 941 MHz. But a recent filing by EWA and pdv addressed those concerns. “The Revised PDV Proposal would implement an asymmetrical emission mask … that would be more protective of the NPCS operation,” Sensus said. “Sensus and PDV have reached agreement about cooperation with each other on interference issues. Sensus believes it has a mechanism available to address with PDV these types of issues, should they arise.”

DOJ’s inspector general should open a new investigation into allegedly false claims the FBI made to Congress on encryption policy (see 1804130035), said New America Open Technology Institute Director Kevin Bankston Tuesday. Citing a Washington Post report, the organization said the FBI “consistently claimed” in 2017 it couldn't unlock 7,775 devices, but it recently admitted the number is closer to 1,200. Bankston asked that the FBI “finally drop its misguided crusade to undermine encryption.” Center for Democracy & Technology Director-Freedom, Security and Technology Project Greg Nojeim called for an IG investigation into the “dangerously exaggerated claim.” BSA|The Software Alliance Senior Director-Policy Tommy Ross said government and tech providers should collaborate to improve “law enforcement’s technical capabilities to access the mountains of digital evidence available to them,” instead of narrowly focusing on encryption. DOJ didn't comment.

Nokia CEO Rajeev Suri met with FCC Chairman Ajit Pai on spectrum issues, including the 3.5 GHz citizens broadband service band (see 1805220034 and 1805230013), said a filing in docket 14-177. Suri and Rick Corker, Nokia president North America, also met with Commissioners Mike O’Rielly and Jessica Rosenworcel. “Innovative spectrum policies [have] unlocked the potential of gigabits of spectrum, including the 3.5 GHz and mmWave bands,” the filing said. “The Commission should move more quickly to get those spectrum bands into the market via auction so that they can be put to use. The Nokia Executives asked that the Commission expedite auctioning mid-band and mmWave spectrum bands, and hold auctions that cover more than one band at a time, which will speed deployment of 5G services to American consumers.” The executives stressed the importance of the 3.7-4.2 GHz band “as the centerpiece for nationwide 5G deployment.” A proposal by Intelsat and SES "to unlock only 100 MHz of spectrum for 5G over 3 years is not sufficient to meet the needs of wireless operators, or to keep the U.S. competitive with the emerging 5G plans in China, Japan and Korea,” they said. They encouraged the FCC to approve this year proposals for spectrum access system administrators in the 3.5 GHz band (see 1805220065), including the telecom manufacturer's SAS submission. As the regulator tries to prevent USF from funding equipment that threatens national security, the firm asked it "not be used to cast uncertainty on the entire industry, including longstanding, well-vetted partners of U.S. government and industry."

Scopeworker said Sprint will use its supply chain software to help digitize the carrier's multibillion-dollar supply chain. “Following successful trials in which double-digit percentage savings for Sprint's procurement department were consistently generated, Scopeworker will engage in multiple programs to automate cost, time and quality efficiencies,” the company said. Sprint Chief Procurement Officer Mariano Legaz said the move comes "as we prepare to deliver the nation's first 5G mobile network in the first half of 2019."