The Utilities Technology Council told members the FCC’s draft order creating an enhanced competition incentive program (see 2206230069) is likely positive for utilities. “UTC had filed reply comments urging the Commission to expand the scope of ECIP to allow utilities and other critical infrastructure industries to be able to take advantage of the program so they could get access to spectrum to support their private wireless communications,” the group said Monday: “The Draft Report and Order agreed to make eligible non-common carrier entities like utilities -- but only in rural areas -- and the FCC is opening a Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to consider further expanding eligibility to allow non-common carriers to access spectrum in other areas as well.”

Competitive Carriers Association representatives raised concerns about “the potential for a serious ‘5G Gap’ that may disproportionately harm rural wireless carriers and consumers,” in a call with an aide to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “The risk of a 5G Gap is growing due to the confluence of developments such as underfunding for the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program and the heavy fiber focus of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s $42 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program,” said a filing posted Monday in docket 21-476. CCA urged the FCC to emphasize the importance of 5G in an upcoming report to Congress on the USF. “Many parts of the United States, especially rural America, are at risk of being left behind,” the group said.

Comments are due July 27, replies Aug. 26, on a notice of inquiry FCC commissioners approved 4-0 this month on how to facilitate access to spectrum for offshore uses and operations (see 2206080055) said a notice for Monday’s Federal Register. “We take the first steps toward facilitating offshore operations through innovative spectrum management policy,” the notice says: “Specifically, we seek input on whether changes in our rules and policies are needed to facilitate the development of offshore commercial and private networks.”

Representatives of GCI asked for clarity from the FCC on drive test rules under the Alaska Plan (see 2205050038). “We discussed GCI’s concerns with the set of areas selected for GCI to drive test and the importance of disclosing all values necessary for GCI to calculate its compliance,” said a filing posted Friday in docket 16-271.

The FCC published in the Federal Register Friday its May order (see 2205120031) denying petitions for reconsideration filed by wireless-mic makers Sennheiser and Shure of a December 2020 order (see 2012080064) closing the agency’s 2015 NPRM on whether to allocate a vacant channel for use by white space devices and wireless microphones. The order took effect May 11, the notice said.

The FCC Wireless Bureau Friday granted 11 900 MHz broadband segment license applications, in keeping with 2020 order reallocating a 6 MHz swath in the band for broadband while keeping 4 MHz for narrowband (see 2005130057). “The Bureau finds the 900 MHz broadband segment applications listed ... to be complete and in conformance with the Commission’s rules,” said an order in docket 17-200: “No petitions to deny these applications were filed, and the applications sufficiently demonstrate conformance with the eligibility conditions … and requirements for transitioning the 900 MHz band in the particular county requested.” All the grants are to PDV Spectrum in Kansas.

The DOJ approved an amended master network services agreement between Dish Network and T-Mobile, T-Mobile said in an SEC filing Thursday. The agreement gives Dish’s retail wireless brands, including Boost Mobile, continued access to T-Mobile's 5G network (see 2206210049). “While we are surprised at the DOJ’s newfound timeliness on the issue -- given that it never got around to approving the earlier version of the new [mobile virtual network operator] terms that Dish and T-Mobile signed in late February -- the approval now is nonetheless a positive for Dish,” New Street’s Philip Burnett told investors.

The Wi-Fi Alliance briefed FCC Office of Engineering and Technology staff on upcoming documents needed for the use of standard power devices in the 6 GHz band, controlled by an automated frequency coordination (AFC) system. The documents are: AFC System to AFC Device/Interface Specification, v1.2.3; AFC System Under Test Compliance Test Plan, v1.1.5; and AFC Device Under Test Compliance Test Plan, v1.2, said a filing posted Wednesday in docket 18-295. “In each case, the specifications remain in development,” the alliance said: The group “continues to work with 6 GHz stakeholders and industry experts to finalize these specifications following resolution of the remaining outstanding issues while taking into account comments received.” The alliance expressed hope that “even in their current preliminary form, these specifications will allow OET to initiate the AFC systems testing process, and thereby expedite introduction of robust and ubiquitous 6 GHz connectivity.”

The National Wireless Communications Council supported a December petition by APCO, the Utilities Technology Council and others asking the FCC to stop certifying low-power indoor devices in the 6 GHz band because of the alleged interference risk (see 2112080058). “Given that hundreds of millions of 6 GHz LPI devices are expected to be in use this year, and there will be no way to quickly shut down these devices if they do in fact cause harmful interference to these vital fixed communications links, it is necessary for the Commission to revisit the 6 GHz rules to ensure unlicensed 6 GHz devices will not cause harmful interference to licensed microwave systems,” said a filing posted Wednesday in docket 18-295.

The Enterprise Wireless Alliance recommended to the FCC that APCO be designated as the nationwide frequency coordinator/band manager for the 4.9 GHz band, the group said Wednesday. “There already is broad consensus among representatives of the Public Safety community about how this spectrum might be optimized, including the designation of sub-channels for different purposes,” EWA said: “APCO and the other Public Safety [frequency advisory committees] have twenty years’ experience working with their constituents and undoubtedly have a detailed understanding of the current and future requirements of these users at 4.9 GHz.” The band appears to be a focus of likely coming action by the FCC (see 2206160037).