AT&T asked the FCC to reclassify its notice of inquiry on the use of AI and other technologies to manage how spectrum is used from an exempt proceeding to a permit-but-disclose proceeding, which would require filing of ex parte notices. Commissioners approved the NOI in August and comments are due Tuesday (see 2308030075). “AT&T believes that it would be highly beneficial for participants to be able to understand and evaluate the possible benefits -- and potential pitfalls -- as such ‘usage’ is defined and evaluated for the extremely wide-ranging spectrum users regulated by the Commission,” said a filing posted Thursday in docket 23-232: “That understanding would clearly be enhanced by providing all participants with access to ex parte submissions and summaries of presentations required under the permit-but-disclose rules.” Changing the status of the proceeding would be in keeping with the FCC’s policy of “operating with transparency,” AT&T said. “Smaller entities that do not have the resources to meet with the regulators would benefit from being able to access a complete record of the input being received and assessed by the Commission,” the carrier said.
5G connections surpassed 1.4 billion worldwide by the end of June, expected to approach the 2 billion mark by the end of the year, 5G Americas said Thursday. The latest forecast by Omdia predicts 8 billion 5G connections by 2028, which is 2.5 billion more than in the first decade of 4G, the group said. "The phenomenal global growth of 5G connections underscores the insatiable demand for advanced connectivity,” said Chris Pearson, president-5G Americas: “We are witnessing the transformative power of 5G technology as the industry focuses on integrating 5G connectivity into new devices and services in this era of innovation." There are 287 5G deployments worldwide, with 17 in the North American region and 29 in Latin America and the Caribbean, 5G Americas said.
NTT and Qualcomm Technologies announced a partnership aimed at investing in and speeding the development of a “5G device ecosystem to facilitate private 5G adoption, which is critical to powering AI at the edge.” NTT and Qualcomm Technologies “will prioritize the development of 5G enabled devices to accelerate innovation with global enterprise customers, a critical catalyst in driving widespread enterprise adoption of private 5G,” the companies said Tuesday. “This collaboration is truly an exciting one because we are answering the demand we’re hearing from our clients,” said Shahid Ahmed, NTT executive vice president-new ventures and innovation.
T-Mobile said Tuesday its network slicing “beta,” which uses its 5G stand-alone network (see 2308280046), is now available for use by developers nationwide. The program has also expanded to Android developers to optimize their video calling apps available on the Samsung Galaxy S23 series phones, T-Mobile said. “The moves make it easier for developers across the country to test their new and improved applications with the customized video calling network slice on T-Mobile’s 5G SA network using a commercial device,” the carrier said.
The FCC Wireless Bureau said it will host a workshop Nov. 2 on the environmental compliance and historic preservation review process required for building communications facilities supporting FCC-licensed services. The daylong workshop starts at 10 a.m. at commission headquarters. “FCC and other federal agency subject-matter experts will provide information on a range of topics related to the National Environmental Policy Act, the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and the FCC’s implementing regulations and related agreements,” the bureau said Tuesday: “FCC applicants (including licensees and registrants), those who construct or manage communications facilities for FCC licensees, environmental consultants, State Historic Preservation Office staff, Tribal Historic Preservation Office staff, and federal agencies that fund or permit wireless facilities are encouraged to attend.”
Dish Network filed at the FCC its methodology, mutually agreed to with the Wireless Bureau, for drive tests to measure compliance with the company’s 35 Mbps commitment. “This methodology follows industry standards adapted to DISH’s specific commitment and provides reliable and representative data without unduly burdening DISH, a new entrant into the wireless market,” said a filing posted Tuesday in docket 22-212. “It offers a statistical approach that will evaluate download speed data collected within DISH’s certified 5G coverage area based upon the predicted propagation model as set forth in DISH’s July 14 … 5G Buildout Status Report.” Dish said it will test 3,019 Hex-7 geographies. Within each Hex-7, the provider “will conduct a minimum of 24 total tests, including a minimum of 12 mobile tests and 12 stationary tests,” Dish said. The company said in June it met its initial commitment, covering 70% of the U.S. population (see 2306150010).
Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the appointment of Sean McDevitt, a partner with consulting firm Arthur D. Little, as a member of the FirstNet Authority board. McDevitt “brings 30 years of private sector experience specializing in business development, business expansion, leadership, account management, and client project delivery for telecommunications and technology sectors,” NTIA said Tuesday. He replaces former board Chair Stephen Benjamin, who left the authority after being named a senior adviser to President Joe Biden and director of the White House Office of Public Engagement (see 2303010031).
The FCC said T-Mobile agreed to pay a $7.5 million civil penalty to resolve an Enforcement Bureau investigation of whether T-Mobile, doing business as Assurance Wireless, violated the commission’s Lifeline rules “regarding the submission of claims for ineligible subscribers due to non-usage after the effective date” of a 2020 consent decree. In 2020, T-Mobile agreed to pay a $200 million fine to address an investigation of waste, fraud and abuse connected with Sprint receiving Lifeline subsidies for 885,000 subscribers who weren’t using the service (see 2011040050). T-Mobile bought Sprint earlier that year. “In the absence of material new evidence relating to this matter, we do not set for hearing the question of T-Mobile’s basic qualifications to hold or obtain any Commission license or Authorization,” said an order in Monday’s “Daily Digest.”
APCO Chief Counsel Jeff Cohen urged the FCC to “proceed as soon as possible” on rules requiring location-based routing for wireless calls to 911 (see 2309110042), in a meeting with an aide to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. Cohen also raised related rules on next-generation 911 communications, said a filing posted Monday in docket 21-479. “The Commission must approach rules for NG9-1-1 in a manner that promotes a common understanding of the public safety community’s goals and expectations for NG9-1-1 and does not conflict with the comprehensive vision and definitions outlined in pending federal NG9-1-1 funding legislation,” APCO said: “The single most important step the Commission can take would be to adopt requirements for achieving interoperability between originating service providers and 9-1-1 service providers, and among 9-1-1 service providers.”
The FCC added a section on cybersecurity and supply chain risk management to the final Further NPRM on a 5G Fund. That was the biggest change from the draft, based on a side-by-side comparison. Commissioner Geoffrey Starks highlighted the additional security questions when the FNPRM was approved by commissioners last week (see 2309210035). The FCC also released comment deadlines -- Oct 23, for initial comments, Nov. 21 for replies. The FCC is seeking comment on “whether to require 5G Fund support recipients to implement cybersecurity and supply chain risk management plans as a condition of receiving … support,” the notice said. It notes a similar requirement in the FCC’s enhanced alternative connect America cost model order (see 2307240064). The FNPRM now asks about requiring submission of plans that reflect the latest version of the National Institute of Standards and Technology “Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity, and that reflects an established set of cybersecurity best practices, such as the standards and controls” established by the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency or the Center for Internet Security. “Would it be appropriate for 5G Fund recipients to submit to [Universal Service Administrative Co.] their updated cybersecurity and supply chain risk management plans within 30 days of making a substantive modification thereto, as Enhanced A-CAM recipients must?” the FNPRM asks: “What are the differences (if any) between 5G Fund recipients and Enhanced A-CAM recipients that might warrant different approaches to ensuring cybersecurity?” The FNPRM was in Monday’s “Daily Digest.”