The assignment phase of the C-band auction starts Feb. 8, the FCC said Tuesday. Bidders that won at least one generic block of spectrum in a single partial economic area in the clock phase are eligible, not required, to bid in the assignment phase for frequency-specific licensing blocks. Rules prohibiting communications by each party that filed a short-form application apply until the end of the auction, said the Wireless Bureau and Office of Economics and Analytics. A mock auction is Feb. 4.
Communications Workers of America wants the FCC to ask for more information on Verizon’s proposed buy of Tracfone from America Movil but hasn’t called for rejection (see 2101220062).
Consultant Michael Marcus urged FCC Chief Technology Officer Monisha Ghosh to approve a waiver request by GuRu Wireless for its wireless power transfer technology, said a filing posted Thursday in docket 19-83. GuRu said its lensing technology, “coupled with operations in the [millimeter-wave] bands can fulfill a wide-range of use cases for WPT.”
Communications Workers of America said the FCC should closely review Verizon buying Tracfone from America Movil (see 2009140052). “Verizon and TracFone continue to avoid providing detailed plans for TracFone -- and its millions of Lifeline customers -- post-merger,” said a filing posted Thursday. “They argue that greater concentration in this industry … would somehow benefit consumers.”
Televate agreed to provide technical consulting services to Enterprise Wireless Alliance members as part of a strategic business alliance, EWA said Thursday.
Comments are due Feb. 8, replies Feb. 16 on petitions for reconsideration (see 2012290030) of the FCC’s 3-2 October 5G Fund order (see 2010270034), says Friday's Federal Register.
Public Knowledge officials told FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington they oppose Verizon buying Tracfone from America Movil (see 2009140052). The deal “could impede successful implementation of the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) due to the scope of Lifeline subscribers that enroll through" Tracfone, said a filing posted Wednesday in docket 20-445. It's the largest Lifeline provider with more than 1.7 million such customers, PK said.
A third of smart home device owners have had a technical problem within the past 12 months, reported Parks Associates Tuesday. Loss of wireless connectivity is the top issue, followed by an unresponsive device. Increasing use of do-it-yourself setup strategies comes as 45% of consumers are more hesitant to let technicians in their home because of COVID-19, said analyst Patrice Samuels.
Southern Co. representatives spoke with aides to all five commissioners about its concerns about 6 GHz rules, said a filing posted Monday in docket 18-295. The FCC “authorized unlicensed low power indoor operations in the 6 GHz band without any testing having been conducted whatsoever,” the utility said. “Manufacturers and proponents of unlicensed use have consistently ignored or rejected repeated requests to participate in any field testing (and continue to do so), and manufacturers continue to decline to provide any prototype or sample devices that could be used in such testing even though some parties have already received certification for unlicensed 6 GHz devices and many have already begun marketing efforts.” Commissioners approved rules and a Further NPRM 5-0 in April (see 2004230059).
Amateur and personal radio service operators are prohibited from using their transmitters to communicate about criminal activities, the FCC Enforcement Bureau warned. “The Bureau has become aware of discussions on social media platforms suggesting that certain radio services regulated by the Commission may be an alternative to social media platforms for groups to communicate and coordinate future activities,” said Sunday's notice. “The Bureau reminds amateur licensees that they are prohibited from transmitting ‘communications intended to facilitate a criminal act’ or ‘messages encoded for the purpose of obscuring their meaning.’”