The 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals mostly upheld the FCC’s wireless infrastructure orders in a Wednesday opinion (in Pacer) in the consolidated case, despite claims by local governments that the agency inappropriately preempted their authority in its effort to streamline 5G deployment.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Tuesday sided with Qualcomm in an FTC antitrust lawsuit against the company. In the minutes after the ruling, the company's stock rose.

President Donald Trump’s administration said Monday it reached agreement with DOD to allow commercial sharing of spectrum in the 3450-3550 MHz band. NTIA reported last month that spectrum is the best candidate from the larger 3100-3550 MHz band for sharing. The White House said it believes the FCC will be able to auction sharing rights for the 100 MHz beginning in December 2021, with commercial operations on the band beginning in mid-2022.

There's another shift atop NTIA, as officials there take some new roles with the elections coming. Adam Candeub, who joined the agency a few months ago, is taking over on an acting basis. He's taking a role similar to that of Doug Kinkoph as acting administrator. Kinkoph remains at the agency, where his permanent role has been associate administrator of the Office of Telecommunications and Information Applications.

Chairman Ajit Pai said Thursday the FCC plans to hold the 2.5 GHz auction in the first half of 2021. A year ago, the FCC approved revised rules for the educational broadband service band over partial dissents by Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks. Last week, the FCC extended the window for tribes to apply for licenses by 30 days, until Sept. 2. Pai noted during the commissioners' ongoing meeting that some 280 entities had applied during the 2.5 GHz rural priority window.

President Donald Trump withdrew his renomination of FCC Commissioner Mike O’Rielly to another term, the White House announced Monday. The Trump administration and O’Rielly’s office didn’t immediately comment. O’Rielly’s nomination had been seen to be on hold until at least September due to a hold from Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., and opposition from several Senate Commerce Committee Democrats.

FCC staff extended by a month an opportunity for tribes to file 2.5 GHz applications, until Sept. 2. That's less than the three additional months some sought.

CTA will move CES 2021 to an all-virtual event on Jan. 6-9 from a physical show at the Las Vegas Convention Center, said the association Tuesday.

NTIA filed the eagerly awaited petition to the FCC to clarify Communications Decency Act Section 230, as instructed by President Donald Trump's executive order. The changes would say when certain industry actions such as by social media platforms wouldn't be exempted under the liability safe harbor. The administration now also asked "to impose disclosure requirements similar those imposed on other internet companies, such as major broadband service providers, to promote free and open debate on the internet."

The FCC will allow staffers who are teleworking to continue doing so until at least June, regardless of location, said a Friday emailed memo to staff from Chairman Ajit Pai’s Chief of Staff Matthew Berry “We want to provide those with concerns ranging from childcare to their own health with the peace of mind that they will have the flexibility they need over the coming months.” The decision was made “in light of recent announcements by school districts as well as the ongoing nature of the pandemic.”