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).

Mobile service in the 12 GHz band would make it "effectively unusable" for satellite service, with SpaceX broadband terminals suffering harmful interference more than 77% of the time and outages 74% of the time, it said in docket 20-443 Tuesday. Per its analysis, that interference would extend at least 21 km from every macro base station. SpaceX said its analysis used the same methodology as those submitted by RS Access but uses "assumptions that reflect reality." SpaceX urged the FCC to investigate if Dish and RS Access "filed intentionally misleading reports," saying they "simply cannot be squared " with Dish's previous stance that sharing between terrestrial and satellite isn't viable. "These 'studies' seem designed only to deceive the Commission into improperly granting them and other Multichannel Video and Data Distribution Service (“MVDDS”) licensees new spectrum rights" despite the harm to satellite services, it said. Dish Network and the 5G for 12 GHz Coalition said they were reviewing the filing. The Coalition tweeted Tuesday it "remain[s] committed to working in good faith with the @FCC and stakeholdrs to ensure that the American public is able to reap the immense benefits of #5G services in this band."

The FCC Office of Engineering and Technology approved a waiver for Kongsberg Seatex, allowing the company to seek certification for a system used for broadband communications among maritime vessels, and between maritime vessels and shore. The system operates at 5.725-5.850 GHz band, emitting “steerable directional beams at power levels that exceed” FCC limits, said a Tuesday order. The higher antenna gain limits Kongsberg requests “will increase the maximum achievable communication distance over water from approximately 1.2 kilometers (under the current rules) to at least 9 kilometers,” OET said: “This increased range will be useful for a variety of maritime applications, including operation of autonomous surface vessels; hydrographic surveying prior to and during dredging of ports and waterways; remote inspection of underwater pipelines and other underwater installations; monitoring marine life; oil and gas exploration; scientific research; communications during search and rescue operations; fishery research; tracking of unmanned underwater vehicles; dock and harbor inspections; and monitoring sediment in river outlets for safe navigational passages.”

The FCC Wireless Bureau approved a waiver of effective radiated power limits for air-to-ground operations in the 849-851 MHz and 894-896 MHz bands sought by Gogo Business Aviation. The bureau said Tuesday it took that step after Gogo agreed to address concerns raised by APCO (see 2206070067). “We find that Gogo has shown that a waiver is warranted because application of section 22.867 would be inequitable and unduly burdensome and that a grant is in the public interest,” the bureau said: “Gogo needs to transition from its current CDMA [evolution-data optimized] technology to [orthogonal frequency division multiplex] technology to enhance Gogo’s offerings by improving throughput, coverage, and reliability of its nationwide broadband network.” Gogo demonstrated that “allowing measurement of the maximum average power for the ERP limit, rather than the currently required peak power measurement technique, is necessary for Gogo to transition from its current system to its next generation system,” the bureau said.

T-Mobile Accessibility representatives urged a “sustainable” methodology for setting telecommunications relay service compensation rates, in a meeting with an aide to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. The discussion was based on an earlier meeting with FCC staff (see 2205130043), said a filing posted Tuesday in docket 03-123.

AT&T asked the FCC for permission to test a range of high mid-band frequencies, from 7 GHz -15 GHz, including potentially 12 GHz, for two years in the Austin area. AT&T said it plans tests “to demonstrate the functionality and capabilities” of 5G-advanced and “potential 6G wireless communication systems.” The company plans to use pre-commercial or experimental hardware, the application said. A spokesperson declined comment.

Former FCC Commissioner Mike O'Rielly said there “absolutely” needs to be more use of unlicensed spectrum going forward Tuesday during a WiFiForward event. “I think we’re going to have more unlicensed opportunities,” O’Rielly said, but “we have to continue the momentum and it’s not an either-or decision on using licensed spectrum. It’s a matter of finding the “right band, the right circumstances, and then finding … the right partners to make that dance happen,” he said. O’Rielly noted NTIA needs to be given a “backbone” so it’s "respected by all the other agencies and stop the end runs to all the random subcommittees." NTIA is “committed to working toward a coordinated national approach” on spectrum policies and initiatives, said Senior Adviser Phil Murphy. “That includes ongoing and close coordination” on the 5.9 GHz band, Murphy said. NTIA and the FCC are holding monthly “high-level meetings” and updating their memorandum of understanding, he said, and NTIA is also updating the national spectrum strategy. High-speed internet access has “never been more critical for our economy” and Wi-Fi has been “critical in keeping individuals and communities connected” throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Murphy said. Achieving an “equitable future” means “ensuring homes and businesses have high quality connections at affordable prices,” he said, and Wi-Fi will be “an essential part” of NTIA’s efforts to close the digital divide with its broadband programs funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Dish Network and T-Mobile agreed to an amendment to their 2020 master network services agreement, offering Dish’s retail wireless brands, including Boost Mobile, continued access to T-Mobile's 5G network. DOJ must clear the amendment. It “incorporates financial and operational changes, including improved pricing and enhanced roaming solutions for DISH 5G customers in consideration of an annual minimum revenue commitment through the remaining term,” the companies said Tuesday. "We are pleased to have reached new terms with T-Mobile that provide DISH with the ability to be more competitive and to meet our customers' evolving needs," said John Swieringa, Dish Wireless president. "While DISH customers will benefit from our network, this deal also locks in a multi-billion dollar revenue commitment for our business,” said Mike Katz, T-Mobile chief marketing officer. New Street’s Jonathan Chaplin said details are still sketchy. “What we know: 1) the mobile virtual network operator "rate is lowered, with the new rate applied retroactively to January 2022. 2) Dish has a minimum purchase commitment of $3.3BN over the remaining 5 years of the deal. 3) Dish gets in-market roaming, and the elimination of some restrictions on roaming. 4) Dish gets help on subs migrated off the CDMA network, including the provision of handsets. 5) Dish gets another 100k subs that were previously Boost branded, but remained with T-Mobile post deal.”