Technologist and consultant, William Webb questioned during a webinar Thursday whether an FCC NPRM on using unlicensed spectrum for direct-to-device (D2D) connections makes any sense from a technological point of view (see 2607170051). Webb and Dennis Roberson, a technologist and former chair of the FCC’s Technological Advisory Council, discussed the future of D2D and the NPRM during the event, which was hosted by WInnForum.

Satellite broadband isn't yet a meaningful competitor, but that will change, Comcast executives said Thursday in a call with analysts as the company announced its Q2 financial results. Steven Croney, head of the connectivity and platforms division, said broadband competition "remains intense." Beyond ongoing fiber expansion and heavy fixed-wireless competition, satellite broadband "is emerging as another competitor," though not at a meaningful level yet, he said.

T-Mobile CEO Srini Gopalan indicated Thursday that the carrier may go big in both next year’s upper C-band auction and the 2.7 GHz auction now scheduled for 2028. On a call with analysts as the company announced Q2 results, Gopalan and other executives applauded Wednesday's announcement by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr that he was targeting the 2.7 GHz auction in two years (see 2607220032). T-Mobile is the dominant holder of 2.6 GHz spectrum in the U.S. (see 2604140071).

Members of the California congressional delegation and consumer advocacy groups urged the FCC this week to reject AT&T’s petition to preempt the state's carrier of last resort (COLR) obligations because it would cut off service to hundreds of thousands of customers there and endanger their lives during national disasters.