The 2019 World Radiocommunication Conference accomplishments include providing additional bands for international mobile telecom and high-altitude platform systems, expanded coverage by global maritime distress and safety systems (GMDSS), and teeing up issues to be looked at in 2023 including high-altitude international mobile telecom (IMT) base stations (HIBS). That's according to WRC-19 and industry officials Friday as WRC-19 in Egypt ended.
The FCC approved over a dissent by Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel rules requiring carriers to provide height above ellipsoid (HAE) data from wireless calls to 911, within 3 meters accuracy for 80 percent of calls, starting in the largest markets in April 2021. APCO and some others in public safety are concerned the mandate will mean an FCC retreat from dispatchable location. Such more specific location is a concept endorsed by commissioners 5-0 in January 2015 under former Chairman Tom Wheeler (see 1501290066).
DOD has been raising issues behind the scenes with the FCC to avoid technical or legal review of its arguments against Ligado's license modification applications, and its opposition isn't grounded in data in the docket, said the company in a docket 11-109 filing Thursday to be posted. It includes a June 7 letter to the FCC from then-acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan and Nov. 18 letter from now-Secretary Mark Esper. DOD opposition "appears to be an attempt to grab spectrum" not allocated to it, Ligado said, saying the lack of public communication on its views "means the DOD lacks any legitimate basis" for opposition.
The FCC’s draft NPRM on the 5.9 GHz band says segmenting the band, with 45 MHz allocated for Wi-Fi and other unlicensed and 30 MHz for intelligent transportation systems, is the best approach to the long underutilized band. ITS “remains a critical priority” but times have changed since the FCC allocated spectrum for dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) 20 years ago, the draft says. The agency released items set for a vote at commissioners' Dec. 12 meeting. They include media and suicide prevention hotline actions and an NPRM on clearing the 3.3-3.55 GHz band.
Washington state is closer to privacy consensus for the 2020 legislative session, said Senate Environment, Energy and Technology Committee Chairman Reuven Carlyle (D) in an interview. After months of talks, industry and consumer privacy groups see momentum on a bill that failed in 2019. The privacy groups said a draft last week improves upon the previous version they thought weighed too heavily in industry’s favor.
An FCC appeal of Prometheus IV at the Supreme Court is expected by agency and industry stakeholders. Left unclear is how the rules restored by 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will affect the industry in the meantime, said broadcasters and broadcast attorneys at a Media Bureau event on industry trends Thursday. They said the agency shouldn't wait on the uncertain appeal to deregulate broadcast ownership. Wednesday evening, the 3rd Circuit declined the regulator's request to reconsider the case (see 1911200063)
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., insisted Thursday he's also making progress on Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act reauthorization, amid two House committees' success this week in advancing their own renewal bills. Wicker postponed a markup earlier this month of his original Satellite Television Access Reauthorization Act (S-2789) amid committee members' objections (see 1911130055). That bill would renew STELA through 2024. The law is set to expire Dec. 31.
As in initial comments, industry and local governments divided in replies on CTIA and Wireless Infrastructure Association proposals seeking more changes to wireless infrastructure rules designed to accelerate siting of towers and other 5G facilities (see 1910300027). Industry and FCC officials told us it’s unclear when the agency might consider changes. WIA told us talks with municipalities' allies continue.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's Monday decision to pursue a public auction of spectrum on the 3.7-4.2 GHz band (see 1911180026) has shifted some lawmakers' attention from forcing the commission's hand to ensuring proceeds from the sale are allocated for rural broadband deployments and other telecom priorities. Senate Appropriations Financial Services Subcommittee Chairman John Kennedy, R-La., and House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle, D-Pa., are aiming to continue advancing the Clearing Broad Airwaves for New Deployment (C-Band) Act (HR-4855/S-2921) as a potential proceeds allocation mechanism. Kennedy discussed potential pay-for options for C-band proceeds during a Thursday Senate Appropriations Financial Services hearing.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will establish safety standards for autonomous vehicles (AV) when the technology is “proven,” acting Administrator James Owens told Congress Wednesday. Industry is making significant adjustments to the technology, and the agency doesn’t want to stymie innovation, he said during a Senate Commerce Committee hearing.