Four of every 10 mobile subscriptions globally will be 5G in 2026, reported Ericsson Monday. “Current 5G uptake in subscriptions and population coverage confirms the technology as deploying the fastest of any generation of mobile connectivity.” Ericsson estimates that by year-end, more than a billion people -- 15% of the population -- will live in an area with 5G coverage. That’s expected to grow to 60% in 2026, when 5G subscriptions are forecast to reach 3.5 billion. Ericsson projects that globally, such subs will reach 220 million by the end of 2020, 4% of them in North America. “Commercialization is now moving at a rapid pace,” said the company, and 80% of North American mobile customers by 2026 will be fifth-generation, the highest of any region.

A 2013 FCC proceeding that opened the door for in-flight voice and data services via mobile wireless frequencies (see 1312130061) was grounded for want of a common ground solution, said an all-commissioner order in Monday's Daily Digest. It said because of the strong pushback from pilot and flight attendant interests and disagreements on the best approach for expanding access, there's no value in continuing the rulemaking.

The lack of an eligible telecom carrier compliance plan means review of Verizon's buy of Tracfone (see 2009140010) shouldn't get streamlined treatment, Public Knowledge representatives told FCC International Bureau staffers, according to a posting Tuesday. PK said the active FCC investigation against Tracfone for Lifeline violations also backs the argument that Verizon's ETC eligibility should be tied to the transaction. It said streamlined treatment also seems inappropriate, given calls for "pencils down" by members of Congress (see 2011100061). Verizon didn't comment Wednesday. T-Mobile opposes expedited review (see 2010140037).

Antitrust authorities gave the nod to Verizon buying Tracfone (see 2010140037), said an FTC early termination notice dated Tuesday and released Wednesday. The proposed transaction's Hart-Scott-Rodino waiting period is over.

Smartphone sales fell at Best Buy in the quarter ended Oct. 31, largely due to the late launch of the 12 series of iPhones, Chief Operating Officer Mike Mohan told investors Tuesday. Demand for higher-capacity 5G phones with larger screens is high, he noted. The replacement cycle for phones “has been forever changed,” he said. Best Buy Q3 comparable sales surged 23% year on year to $11.8 billion, said CEO Corie Barry. Online sales jumped 200% in October, said Barry, while ship-to-home speeds reached their highest level since the pandemic began. Domestic online revenue spiked 174% and to 35% of total domestic revenue, vs. 15.6% of the revenue mix last year, said the company. Barry highlighted strength in computers and home theater. Chief Financial Officer Matt Bilunas tempered expectations for the holiday quarter. He cited the surge in COVID-19 cases during a time of “significant holiday volume.” Shares closed 7% lower at $113.54.

FCC creation of the 5G Fund for Rural America -- which puts USF dollars in support of 5G deployment (see 2010270034) -- takes effect Dec. 28, says Wednesday’s Federal Register.

Challengers to Thomas Kurian's application to partition and disaggregate 219.5-220.0 MHz of automated maritime telecom system (ATMS) spectrum to freight railroad consortium PTC-220 didn't show why pending litigation in Nevada involving Kurian should preclude denying the application or why it was a breach of the applicants' duty not to disclose that litigation in their application. That's according to an FCC Wireless Bureau order Monday denying a petition by Warren Havens and Polaris PNT Group against the application. The bureau granted a waiver of AMTS rules PTC-220 sought to facilitate use of the spectrum for positive train control and related rail safety systems.

Windstream agreed to pay $18,000 and institute a compliance plan as part of a settlement with the FCC Enforcement Bureau over the company’s construction of two wireless towers on tribal land without the on-site monitoring requested by the affected tribes, said a consent decree Monday. Windstream self-reported the violation in 2019 and said a contractor performed “construction activities.” The company “admits that it constructed at the Nebraska Tower and Arkansas Tower without the onsite monitoring requested by the affected tribes,” said the consent decree. The carrier must implement a compliance procedure and employee training and report on its compliance to the FCC for three years. The telco didn’t comment.

The FCC Wireless Bureau dismissed requests by seven tribal entities for waivers of the 2.5 GHz tribal application window. The requests were filed by the Ho-Chunk Nation, Lummi Indian Business Council, the Muscogee Nation, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, San Felipe Pueblo, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and Table Mountain Rancheria. The window to apply closed Sept. 2 (see 2007310066).

Move forward with proposed rules for a 2.5 GHz auction, T-Mobile said in a call with an aide to FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. “Since the closing of its merger with Sprint,” T-Mobile “has been rapidly rolling out 2.5 GHz spectrum as part of its nationwide 5G network and that access to additional 2.5 GHz spectrum will help deliver 5G services to even more Americans,” said a filing posted Friday in docket 18-120.