Public Knowledge encouraged DOJ to dig in on an investigation of alleged collusion between AT&T and Verizon at GSMA. “New technologies can increase customer choice. eSIMs could make it easier for customers to use their phones, tablets, smartwatches, and other connected devices with multiple carriers, enabling consumers to pick whichever carrier has the best service or lowest price,” said John Bergmayer, PK senior counsel, Friday. “But new technologies can also provide companies with ways to take away consumer freedoms. That is why it has been disturbing to learn that major carriers may be colluding behind closed doors to make eSIMs benefit themselves, instead of consumers.” Reports of the SIM card substitution investigation surfaced Friday. “We are aware of the investigation into GSMA’s process for developing eSIM standards that provide a better experience for consumers," an AT&T spokesman said. "Along with other GSMA members, we have provided information to the government in response to their requests and will continue to work proactively within GSMA, including with those who might disagree with the proposed standards, to move this issue forward.” The accusations are "much ado about nothing," a Verizon spokesman said. "We are striving to provide a better experience for the consumer. The reality is that we have a difference of opinion with a couple of phone equipment manufacturers regarding the development of eSIM standards. Nothing more."

For Earth Day, Apple promoted its smartphone disassembly robot, “the most efficient way to reclaim more of the valuable materials stored in iPhone.” The robot can take apart 200 iPhone devices hourly, “so that Apple can recover materials that traditional recyclers can’t,” said the company Friday. Trade-ins top out at $315 for phones, $1,000 for computers, $285 for tablets and $175 for smartwatches. A calculator on Apple.com gave a value of $245 for our iPhone 7. The 8 and X values weren’t prepopulated. The latest generation Samsung device listed was the 128 GB S6 edge plus, valued at $150.

NTIA said the FCC should require protection of the Table Mountain field site and radio quiet zone, north of Boulder, Colorado, from interference from devices using the 3.5 GHz citizens broadband radio service band. Since the band will use spectrum access system administrators, the FCC should require the administrators to protect the 1,800-acre site, NTIA's Thursday letter said in docket 15-319.

The FCC Enforcement Bureau settled with two digital billboard companies. Boyce Industries agreed to pay a $39,500 civil penalty for marketing LED signs “used in digital billboards and other commercial and industrial applications, without the required equipment authorization, labeling, and user manual disclosures in violation of the Commission’s rules,” said a Friday order. Media Resources agreed to pay $19,500 for the same kinds of violations. Both companies agreed to acknowledge they violated rules and will implement compliance plans. Neither company commented.

AT&T said it’s launching 5G Evolution technology in parts of 117 new markets, bringing markets served to 141. The technology can deliver theoretical peak speeds of up to 400 Mbps, said a news release. The company is also making LTE-license assisted access available in parts of three new markets, bringing markets served with that technology to seven. LTE-LAA can deliver theoretical peak speeds of up to 1 Gbps, and is "helping to drive our path to eventual nationwide mobile 5G,” the carrier said.

T-Mobile asked to withdraw a September petition seeking expedited waiver of FCC rules so it could provide wireless priority service (WPS) over LTE by Q3. The company said then (see 1709290059) it planned to offer WPS, allowing public officials priority to make calls, under an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security Office of Emergency Communications, but OEC was requiring that WPS be available at all times and not just on a per-call basis. The FCC set up a docket for the waiver, 18-40. T-Mobile said in a filing posted Friday it now “understands” it doesn’t need the waiver.

The Industrial IoT Coalition said the FCC should keep smaller license sizes for the priority access licenses that will be auctioned in the shared 3.5 GHz band. “Industrial and critical-infrastructure operators are best positioned to evaluate their operational security needs and the necessary response to the growing threat of cyber intrusions by foreign and domestic hackers,” the IIoT Coalition said in a filing posted Friday in docket 17-258. “Industrial and critical-infrastructure entities will be able to design and deploy IIoT networks that will ensure the safety, security, resilience, and, where applicable, compliance with North American Electric Reliability standards at their essential facilities.” Members are the Edison Electric Institute, Enterprise Wireless Alliance, General Electric, pdvWireless, Port of Los Angeles, Southern Linc, Union Pacific and Utilities Technology Council.

A draft NPRM, set for a vote at the May 10 commissioners' meeting, proposes to “rationalize the service areas” of existing educational broadband service (EBS) licenses to a “defined geographic area in a licensee’s existing geographic service area.” The NPRM (see 1804180068) in docket 18-20 also proposes giving more flexibility to EBS licensees, “such as eliminating current restrictions on lease terms and outdated educational use requirements” and asks for comment on establishing up to three local priority filing windows allowing applicants who can demonstrate they're located “within the license area for which they apply to access 2.5 GHz spectrum.” The windows would be for “existing licensees, allowing them to expand their service to the county boundaries,” tribal nations in rural areas and educational entities that don’t hold 2.5 GHz licenses. “Significant portions of the 2.5 GHz band currently lie fallow across approximately one-half of the United States, primarily in rural areas,” the FCC said in a fact sheet, released Thursday. “New access to the … spectrum in this band has been strictly limited since 1995, and current licensees are subject to a regulatory regime largely left over from the days when educational TV was the only use envisioned for this wide swath of spectrum.”

Macquarie Research’s Amy Yong raised Sprint's rating to neutral amid reports of renewed merger discussions with T-Mobile (see 1804100047). T-Mobile is partially owned by Deutsche Telekom and Sprint by SoftBank and “the question of who retains control is the biggest hurdle,” Yang wrote investors Wednesday. “SoftBank affirmed that Sprint remains a key asset to its portfolio and that it would want a majority stake.” Last year, talks collapsed because SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son wanted to retain control of the combined company (see 1711080055). For Sprint especially, ‘time is of the essence,” the analyst said. “We believe SoftBank is running out of options.”

Kellogg seeks a waiver of FCC rules that require that unintentional radiator devices, including Class B devices, get equipment verification before being marketed or distributed to the public. “The low-powered novelty device in question poses no risk of harmful interference,” Kellogg said. The maker of Corn Flakes, Frosted Flakes, Rice Krispies and other food products said it plans a “cutting-edge promotional feature” and requires a waiver. “The promotion consists of a limited-edition cereal box with a seven inch video screen affixed within the box itself,” the company said. “The box serves as a frame for the screen, allowing consumers to stand the box upright and watch video content while eating cereal.” Kellogg is sourcing the video players from Wealth Land Electronics, a small Chinese manufacturer of novelty items that "does not have the resources or capability to conduct the tests required to support verification of the novelty device, and testing by an independent lab would be costly and time consuming," it said. Kellogg "would need to begin marketing the product in May" to tie in promotionally with a "feature film" debuting in early June, it said.