The Wireless ISP Association called on the FCC to finalize sharing rules for the 37-37.6 GHz band, which were approved in the original spectrum frontiers order, now subject to petitions for reconsideration (see 1607140052). “The Commission can act now to ensure the United States capitalizes on all the benefits of the millimeter wave bands, including by enhancing the availability of fixed wireless broadband in communities across the country,” WISPA said in a filing in docket 14-177.

The Department of Transportation said neither it nor the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reached a decision on an NPRM proposing to mandate for new vehicles dedicated short-range communications designed to curb crashes (see 1711010047). DOT and NHTSA “have not made any final decision,” they said. “In all events, DOT hopes to use the dedicated spectrum for transportation lifesaving technologies.” Wi-Fi proponents hope to share the 5.9 GHz band previously allocated for DSRC.

Thirty states and territories have opted into FirstNet now that Pennsylvania and South Carolina governors announced Thursday they'll accept AT&T state plans. Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) announced the decision after the state received alternative radio-access-network plans, including from Rivada, and state legislators weighed costs of opting in and out at a hearing last month (see 1710190039). It’s the fifth state to opt in after soliciting alternative plans. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) announced his state’s decision. Puerto Rico must decide whether to opt out of FirstNet by Dec. 28, the same deadline for 52 other states and territories, the FCC said in a Wednesday order in docket 16-269. Maria made it impossible for FirstNet to immediately confirm Puerto Rico had received notice starting the 90-day shot clock, but the Puerto Rico governor’s office later confirmed it got the notice Sept. 29, the FCC said. A House subcommittee discussed costs of opting out at a Wednesday hearing (see 1711010035).

The FCC cleared purchase of 26 additional licenses in the TV incentive auction. They cover smaller, mostly rural markets. James McCotter, Nex-Tech Wireless and Sagebrush Cellular were among those with OK'd long-form applications. They're "complete and in conformance with the Commission’s rules and there are no petitions to deny or other requests pending that would prevent grant,” said a public notice by the Incentive Auction Task Force and Wireless Bureau. A total of 2,776 licenses were sold in the auction, which ended in April.

AT&T has 16 million vehicles connected to its network and is adding about a million monthly, said Jeff Stewart, assistant vice president-global public policy, Wednesday on a Telecommunications Industry Association webcast. Another 2.5 million connected fleet vehicles are on the network, he said. Stewart noted AT&T announced a partnership Tuesday with Ford, Nokia and Qualcomm Technologies to test cellular-vehicle to everything technology (C-V2X) in San Diego (see 1710310019). C-V2X is “a possible alternative technology” to dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) being offered by automakers, he said. “We’ll be looking at how cellular-V2X can function and if it meets the needs of vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications,” he said. Another AT&T focus area is how cellular technology can be used to extend the 300-meter range of DSRC systems, warning drivers of an accident before they get to it on the road.

Carriers cautioned against proposals for additional performance requirements, in replies in docket 10-112 on an FCC Further NPRM asking about ways to modernize the licensing process for geographic wireless licenses. Commissioners approved the FNPRM, 3-0, as an addition to an order creating a unified regulatory framework for wireless radio services rules (see 1708030026). “Additional performance requirements under consideration in the FNPRM will undermine, rather than promote, the Commission’s goal to increase wireless service deployment, especially in rural America,” T-Mobile said. “Carriers that wish to serve areas at current performance requirement levels may make the determination that they are unable -- for economic, competitive, siting or other reasons -- to meet enhanced buildout requirements, leading those carriers to simply abandon plans.” AT&T said “targeted incentives,” including increased license terms for rural build-out and special funding mechanisms like the Mobility Fund, are the best way to spur deployment. “The record demonstrates that adding new performance benchmarks on wireless licensees at renewal would force carriers into uneconomic and inefficient builds and siphon limited financial resources from projects that increase network capacity,” AT&T said. “While it supports the FCC’s goal to minimize the digital divide, CCA agrees with the record that offering incentives for rural buildout is a more appropriate way to meet the Commission’s objectives,” the Competitive Carriers Association commented. But the FCC should reject proposals to impose new regulatory or buildout requirements on existing licenses or renewal applications, the group said. “Increased burdens and economic hardship would hinder, rather than promote, buildout in rural America.” The proposed buildout requirements “would be harmful -- they would likely compel uneconomic buildout, distort investment decisions, and depress the valuation of both existing and to-be-auctioned spectrum,” CTIA said.

At $288.08, the bill of materials (BOM) for the Apple iPhone 8 Plus is higher than any previous iPhone, said a preliminary estimate from IHS Markit’s teardown service. Adding $7.36 in basic manufacturing costs brings Apple’s total cost to make it to $295.44, a $17.78 bump over the iPhone 7 Plus, it said. The device, starting price at $799, is $30 higher introductory price than the 7 Plus this time last year, said IHS. The higher BOM is from slower component cost erosion and additional features, said analyst Andrew Rassweiler. The biggest cost adders are increased flash memory and wireless charging components, he said.

AT&T, Ford, Nokia and Qualcomm will begin cellular-V2X (C-V2X) trials in the U.S. later this year to test the potential of the platform for improved automotive safety, automated driving and traffic efficiency, said the companies Tuesday. C-V2X, designed to operate over the 5.9 GHz band without involvement of a cellular network or subscription, would enable vehicles to communicate directly with other vehicles, pedestrian devices and roadside infrastructure, such as traffic signs and construction zones, they said. The platform is complementary to other advanced driver assistance systems sensors, such as cameras, radar, and light detection and ranging (Lidar). It supports 360-degree non-line-of-sight awareness, extending a vehicle’s ability to sense the environment down the road, at blind intersections or in bad weather conditions, said Qualcomm. For the trial, C-V2X platforms will be installed in Ford vehicles using Qualcomm’s 9150 C-V2X communications solution and AT&T’s 4G LTE network communications and ITS platform using wireless base stations and multi-access edge computing technology from Nokia. Intelligent transportation solutions provider McCain will facilitate integration with existing and emerging traffic signal control infrastructure.

Witness intimidation via social media, particularly through the use of mobile phones, is rising, the National District Attorneys Association said in an FCC docket 13-111 filing Monday. NADA urged the FCC to consider jamming as a possible route for disabling contraband cellphones in correctional facilities.

The FCC prehearing conference in the wireless dispute between Sprint and Indiana will be Dec. 4 at 11 a.m., with notices of appearance due Nov. 27, said FCC Chief Administrative Law Judge Richard Sippel. The ALJ granted the parties’ extension request in an order released Tuesday in docket 02-55. The dispute is over costs of the 800 MHz rebanding in Indiana that the state claims weren't fully reimbursed by Sprint (see 1710190043).