The FCC signed off Tuesday on T-Mobile and SpaceX's requested waiver of agency equipment authorization rules related to handsets receiving supplemental coverage from space (SCS) service (see 2504090038). In the order (docket 23-65), the Office of Engineering and Technology and Space Bureau said applying the rules would stymie T-Mobile subscribers and first responders from accessing SCS "through no fault of their own, because the holders of equipment authorizations for certain devices have failed to submit requests for waivers to allow those devices to access SCS."
Integrated sensing and communications (ISAC) will be a critical part of 6G and is growing in sophistication, 5G Americas said in a new white paper. “ISAC introduces sensing as a native function of the communication network, allowing network nodes to perform both communication and sensing tasks while enabling efficient spectrum sharing,” the group said. “Unlike current location capabilities (e.g., for e911), ISAC can detect passive objects not connected to the network. ISAC’s value has been demonstrated in other communication technologies such as Wi-Fi, with applications such as security intrusion detection and remote patient monitoring.”
Citizens Against Government Waste on Tuesday supported Verizon's request that the FCC remove the unlocking commitment stipulated as a condition of approving the company’s purchase of Tracfone (see 2505200051). “The FCC should bring parity to the marketplace by granting Verizon’s request,” said a filing in docket 24-186. “The FCC should help mobile providers by eliminating the unlocking requirements that open the gate to cell phone trafficking, fraud and other illegal activities.”
AT&T on Tuesday announced the launch of a “Wireless Account Lock” feature for wireless customers, which disables key account changes, including billing updates and wireless number transfers, without enhanced verification. “The lock forces an extra step before important account changes can be made,” AT&T said. “It prevents anyone from buying a device on the account, for example, or conducting a SIM swap -- moving a phone number to a SIM in a different device.”
T-Mobile unveiled new pricing plans Tuesday for its Ultra Mobile brand, which it acquired last year (see 2405010035). The entry-level plan now offers 500 MB of data at $15 per month, up from 250 MB. The $39-a-month plan now includes 24 GB of data, up from 15. T-Mobile is also offering additional international calling features, it said. “Starting today, Ultra plans now include more data, more international coverage and customers have more ways to save with multi-month plans -- all while keeping the same affordable pricing launched over a decade ago.”
T-Mobile and Grain Management jointly asked the FCC to approve a transaction in which Grain would buy all of T-Mobile's 800 MHz spectrum in exchange for cash and Grain's 600 MHz spectrum portfolio (see 2503210033). Oppositions were due Monday in docket 25-178.
Wi-Fi Alliance CEO Kevin Robinson and others from the group met with aides to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and Commissioner Anna Gomez to warn that NextNav’s proposals for the 900 MHz band are a threat to “Wi-Fi HaLow,” a Wi-Fi technology operating in the band. The technology is “being used to deliver robust, long-range connectivity for a wide range of industrial and consumer [IoT] applications,” said a filing posted Monday in docket 25-110. “We expressed concern that the use of Wi-Fi HaLow devices is imperiled by NextNav’s proposal to reallocate the 900 MHz band to support its 5G-based alternative positioning, navigation, and timing” service (see 2503030023).
Most in-flight Wi-Fi falls well short of the experience of terrestrial service, Ookla said Monday in an airline Wi-Fi performance report. Based on Ookla Speedtest data, Hawaiian Airlines and Qatar Airways stood out as the best performing airlines in Q1. Both use SpaceX's Starlink system for in-flight connectivity, and it was "the clear standout" in terms of speed and latency, averaging 152.37 Mbps download and 24.16 Mbps upload, Ookla said. It added that airlines are upgrading their in-flight connectivity as they see value and opportunity to provide better Wi-Fi, along with extended services.
Verizon is getting support from police groups for its request that the FCC delete the unlocking commitment stipulated as a condition of approving Verizon’s purchase of Tracfone (see 2505200051).
NTCA supports the NTIA's approach to requiring unlicensed fixed wireless providers to demonstrate compliance with the technical requirements contained in Appendix A of the agency’s BEAD restructuring policy notice (see 2506060052), NTCA said Monday. “Even as certain technical parameters may be worthy of further consideration, Appendix A rightly and prudently directs Eligible Entities to gather data to make a more informed, accurate, and granular assessment of coverage capability,” the group said. “This kind of data-driven effort is critical to mitigate the risk that any consumer could be left behind by mapping claims that offer incomplete and imprecise assurances of coverage.”