Shure and Sennheiser back an FCC proposal to allow wireless multichannel audio systems (WMAS) for wireless mics, in comments posted Tuesday in docket 21-115. Others urged caution; comments were due Monday on an NPRM OK’d 4-0 in April (see 2104220056). "Users have been burdened by significant reductions in available spectrum as a result of the Commission’s repurposing and repacking of TV band spectrum while the demand for wireless microphone support for a wide range of productions and events has only increased,” Shure said. “WMAS has the potential to enable wireless microphone users to pack far more wireless microphones into the same amount of spectrum and achieve the same high quality performance with no adverse interference impact to adjacent band and co-channel users.” OK WMAS for Part 74 licensed and Part 15 unlicensed, the company said. WMAS “allows the wireless microphone operator to maximize the available spectral resources,” Sennheiser commented: It "utilizes the spectral resources only" when needed. Remove the 6875-6900 and 7100-7125 MHz bands from the list of eligible frequencies for wireless mics, Microsoft said: “These bands have been unused by wireless microphones for years.” Microsoft urged a channel bandwidth limit of 6 MHz, a spectral efficiency of three mics per MHz for high-performance devices and power limits consistent with Part 74 rules. Cisco and Facebook asked that 6 GHz and 7 GHz mics be excluded, citing interference risks. “Steer clear of spectrum policy decisions that unnecessarily promote uncertainty impacting the future use of unlicensed technology that the Commission is so clearly relying on as a key ingredient in its recipe to advance the nation’s broadband goals,” they said. The Aerospace and Flight Test Radio Coordinating Council said it doesn’t have concerns on WMAS using the 1.4 GHz aeronautical mobile telemetry band, on a secondary basis, provided protections remain.

The Enterprise Wireless Alliance urged the FCC to “take one last step to maximize the utilization of 800 MHz spectrum” and announce a date when it will start accepting applications for 800 MHz 12.5 kHz bandwidth channels. The FCC declared rebanding complete in a 4-0 April order (see 2104220056). “The rules are in place to license systems on those channels, and the frequency advisory committees that coordinate 800 MHz have agreed that the ‘standard frequency coordination process is well-equipped to handle any possible instances of mutual exclusivity,’” EWA said Monday.

NTIA raised concerns on an FCC NPRM looking at revised rules for wireless mics, in comments posted Monday. Comments were due later Monday in docket 21-115 on the NPRM, OK’d 4-0 in April (see 2104220056). “Given that the federal government has important frequency assignments in relevant bands, NTIA particularly encourages the Commission to ensure adequate protection from wireless microphones remains in place to preclude harmful interference to critical federal systems,” NTIA said. It singled out federal use of the 941-944 MHz band, noting operations there by FAA and the Department of Energy.

The Wireless ISP Association urged a single-round, sealed-bid 2.5 GHz auction format, in a call with FCC Office of Economics and Analytics staff. There's “strong interest among WISPA’s members in participating,” said a filing posted Friday in docket 20-429. WISPs seek to buy licenses “for targeted areas.” The auction's “lack of fungibility contrasts with other spectrum auctions where the licenses are typically offered for an unencumbered area,” the group said, “in equal-size spectrum sizes.”

Sennheiser fired back at NAB for slamming its and Shure's petitions for reconsideration on an order terminating docket 15-146 on use of vacant channels in the TV band to provide spectrum for TV white space devices and wireless mics (see 2107280036). There's "overwhelming support" for the petitions, "including from the broadcast engineers involved in content creation,” a Sennheiser spokesperson emailed: “Enactment of the proposals set forth by the FCC in the UHF vacant channel NPRM would benefit countless motion picture and music producers, critical news gathering, theaters, touring production companies, educational institutions, houses-of-worship, and a wide variety of other commercial and civic activities.” Shure also commented. “Over 150 parties expressed overwhelming support for the FCC to revisit the issue and NAB was the only party opposing,” emailed Ahren Hartman, vice president-quality engineering: “The FCC should scrutinize NAB’s claim that some markets do not have an open channel, and even if that were the case, which Shure believes it is not, the record is clear that there would be significant value to wireless microphone users to allocate a vacant channel where feasible even if that cannot be done in every single market.”

EBay expanded its inventory of “certified refurbished” goods to include a selection of Galaxy mobile products sourced directly from Samsung Electronics America at up to half off their introductory pricing, the e-commerce marketplace said Thursday. It introduced the program in October (see 2010210045).

The FCC withdrew from proposed Thursday publication in the Federal Register a notice on rules requiring disabling contraband wireless devices in correctional facilities (see 2107130029). “An agency letter requesting withdraw of this document was received after placement on public inspection,” said a Wednesday notice. The FCC asked that the Further NPRM be held to run at the same time as the order, a spokesperson emailed.

A recent FCC update on the spectrum screen after the C-band auction could have implications for T-Mobile and Dish Network in the 3.45 GHz auction, New Street’s Jonathan Chaplin told investors Wednesday. “After the 3.45 GHz auction, the amount of spectrum in circulation would increase from 1023 MHz to 1123 MHz and the screen would increase from 350 MHz to 380 MHz,” the analyst said: “T-Mobile, with 354 MHz today, would be allowed to acquire just 26 MHz (on a national average basis), compared to the 40 MHz we think they would want.” One wrinkle is Dish Network has a right to buy 14 MHz of specialized mobile radio spectrum from T-Mobile, he said: If Dish exercises this right, it would clear T-Mobile to buy 40 MHz in the 3.45 GHz band.

The International Association of Fire Chiefs supports a petition by the Alliance for Automotive Innovation for partial reconsideration of reallocating the 5.9 GHz band (see 2106030075), said a filing posted Wednesday in FCC docket 19-138. Intelligent transportation system apps “have significant potential to reduce the frequency and severity of unimpaired motor vehicle crashes,” IAFC said: “By reallocating a majority of the spectrum reserved for ITS use, the Report and Order threatens to undermine the deployment of these life-saving technologies.” IAFC noted questions raised by Congress and the Department of Transportation.

NAB representatives urged aides to all FCC commissioners to reject petitions for reconsideration by wireless mic makers on an order terminating docket 15-146 on use of vacant channels in the TV band to provide spectrum for TV white space devices and wireless mics (see 2101080050). The FCC’s “central objective” in seeking comment was “expressly to preserve one television channel for white spaces devices and wireless microphones nationwide, not to create a patchwork quilt of channel availability as Shure and Sennheiser now request,” said a filing posted Wednesday. The companies didn't comment.