Public safety groups said don’t delay timelines the FCC commissioners approved in July for finding the vertical location of wireless callers to 911 (see 2007160055). CTIA sought reconsideration in September, citing COVID-19 delays (see 2009290024). The order affirms the 2021 and 2023 z-axis requirements and rejects a proposal to weaken them. APCO, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Major Cities Chiefs Association, National Public Safety Telecommunications Council, National Sheriffs’ Association and others opposed the recon petition. “Achieving three-meter accuracy for 80% of calls has been shown to be technically feasible,” the groups said: “Carriers cannot be permitted to alter the timeline based on a desire for additional, late-stage testing, regardless of the reason that this testing has not been possible.” CTIA says carriers haven’t integrated solutions into devices, they said. “This wrongly attempts to absolve the carriers of their ability and responsibility to influence the capabilities of devices operating on the carriers’ own networks,” the groups said. The pandemic had “dramatic effects” on the U.S., but “CTIA overstates” the problem, said the International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Fire Fighters and Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association. “In the spring, many buildings were shut due to the pandemic,” they said: “However, states have been opening public buildings and even schools across the nation since May. Private buildings have likewise been opening for use. It would seem that handsets could be tested in buildings in a socially distanced manner.” Comments were posted Wednesday in docket 07-114. Apple said testing of its technology is unlikely before April (see 2011040026). CTIA didn't comment.

Only two systems remain to be retuned and four frequency reconfiguration agreements to be closed as part of the 800 MHz reconfiguration, T-Mobile said in an FCC filing posted Tuesday in docket 02-55. That's same as a month ago.

The top U.S. spectrum focus should be midband frequencies for 5G, CTIA responded to an FCC request for comment as the World Radiocommunication Conference Advisory Committee prepares for WRC 2023. Comments were due Monday. “The overarching goal should be to ensure that international efforts are consistent with 5G policy here at home, including identifying and allocating additional mid-band spectrum for terrestrial mobile 5G services,” CTIA said, in docket 16-185. A top focus should be the 3.3-3.4, 3.6-3.8, 7 and 10 GHz bands, the group said. The Aerospace Industries Association’s focus is protecting bands used by its members, including “aeronautical mobile and maritime mobile services in the 4800-4990 MHz range.” The 3.3-3.4 and 10.0-10.5 GHz “have been critical to the operation of radars for many years,” the group said: “The continued availability of these two bands globally without technical, regulatory, or operational restrictions is vital for the aerospace and defense industry, and their customers, to deploy and operate advanced radar systems reliably.” The American Radio Relay League said 3.3-3.4 and 10.0-10.5 GHz should be preserved for amateur use on a secondary basis “subject to all of the protections accorded primary users.”

CTA and tech companies asked the FCC to act on revised rules for very low-power devices in the 6 GHz band, in a call with Commissioner Brendan Carr. “Appropriate power levels for VLP, specifically 14 dBm [effective isotropic radiated power], which is the minimum power level needed to overcome body loss and channel fading associated with portable operations,” are important, CTA said Monday in docket 18-295. That's “approximately four times less power than permitted for typical smartphones, laptops, and tablets, and five times lower power than already allowed for low power indoor client devices.” Intel, Google, Broadcom, Apple, Facebook and Microsoft officials participated. The Wi-Fi Alliance urged action in calls with aides to Chairman Ajit Pai and Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. Verizon spoke with a Carr aide about a petition for reconsideration requesting higher power for unlicensed standard-power 6 GHz access points subject to automatic frequency coordination. Commissioners are expected to consider rules in December (see 2010190040).

Ericsson completed its $1 billion buy of Cradlepoint (see 2010080053), a U.S.-based wireless wide-area network edge solutions company, Ericsson said Monday. “The investment is key to Ericsson’s ongoing strategy of capturing market share in the rapidly expanding 5G enterprise space.”

Do more to discourage states and local governments from diverting 911 fees, CTIA said in a filing posted Monday in docket 20-291. Comments were due Monday on a notice of inquiry (see 2009300050) approved 5-0 in September. It is critical that the $2.6 billion in 9-1-1 fees collected annually from wireless consumers be used for their intended purpose of improving 9-1-1 services,” CTIA said. Further action could include “providing guidance as to what expenditures qualify as ‘in support of’ 9-1-1 and encouraging other federal agencies to condition grant funding on non-diversion of 9-1-1 funds,” the group said: “Simply identifying diverting states has not been sufficient.” Refrain from rules putting new requirements on carriers, including reporting diversion under FCC truth-in-billing rules, the association asked.

T-Mobile has a buy one, get one free offer on the LG Wing 5G smartphone, arriving Nov. 6. The dual-screen phone works on 600 MHz and 2.5 GHz 5G spectrum, in addition to T-Mobile’s LTE network, said the company. It has a 6.8-inch, 2220 x 1080 main OLED display and a second 3.9-inch OLED screen, enabling two apps to run concurrently. A 64-megapixel camera headlines the triple camera array. The BOGO offer is available to new and existing customers for $41.67/month over 24 months, said the carrier.

5G is a “once-in-a-decade opportunity” to expand iPhone's "large, loyal and growing install base" and appeal to Android "switchers," said Apple CEO Tim Cook on a Thursday investor call. Apple is supporting the 5G rollout with the strongest iPhone lineup "we've ever had by far," he said. But supply shortages crossed categories. On whether iPhone supply will be able to meet demand through the rest of the year, Cook said supplies “are constrained today,” not surprising for the start of a launch, but it’s hard to predict when supply will free up. Supply is also constrained for the Mac, iPad and Apple Watch. China is ahead of the U.S. in 5G infrastructure rollout, with 600,000 base stations forecast by year-end, Cook said, “so we’re entering the market at a very good time.” The company has been collaborating with 5G carriers globally to ensure iPhone “has great throughput,” coverage, battery life and call quality, he said. On how Apple is preparing for the next wave of COVID-19, Cook said it's prioritizing safety first, turning stores into an “express storefront.” Apple also put more people answering phones “because a lot more people are reaching out to us that way.” The direct-to-consumer online store has remained operational through the pandemic, he noted. Chief Financial Officer Luca Maestri referenced uncertainties about the company's decision not to provide fiscal Q1 guidance. Apple posted record fiscal Q4 revenue Thursday for the period ended Sept. 26, despite delays that pushed the latest iPhones into fiscal Q1, said Maestri. Q4 revenue rose 1% year on year to $64.7 billion, with product revenue slipping to $50.1 billion from $51.5 billion a year ago, while services rose to $14.5 billion from $12.5 billion. All product categories grew double digits in the quarter, except for iPhone, due to the phones' delayed launches into October and November. In the quarter, iPhone sales were $26.4 billion, Mac sales grew to $9 billion, iPad sales to $6.8 billion, and wearables, $7.9 billion. Paid subscriptions grew more than 35 million sequentially, up 135 million from a year ago, said Maestri. Apple is on target to reach 600 million paid subscriptions by year-end. The stock closed down 5.6% at $108.86

The Department of Transportation's three-year unmanned aircraft systems Integration Pilot Program “successfully concluded” and will be replaced by the new Beyond program, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said Friday. “The IPP propelled the American drone industry forward, allowing for unprecedented expansions in testing and operations through innovative private-public partnerships across the country,” she said: “Now, the BEYOND program will build upon this success, tackling the next big challenges facing drone integration.” The program says its top challenge is rules for beyond visual line of sight operations that are “repeatable, scalable and economically viable with specific emphasis on infrastructure inspection, public operations and small package delivery.”

Yahoo plowed into the smartphone market Thursday with an entry-level $49 handset that operates on parent company Verizon’s sub-brand 4G Yahoo Mobile wireless network. Later this year, Verizon’s 5G network will be included with all Yahoo Mobile plans and devices, it said. Consumers can buy Yahoo Mobile service with the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro through the online store now, and with the iPhone Pro Max and 12 Mini, due next month. The purple Yahoo Mobile ZTE Blade A3Y, stuffed with Yahoo apps, is paired with a $40 monthly unlimited talk, text and data plan, ad-free email account and 24/7 customer service, with no annual service contract. Through Yahoo Sports, users have access to live sports and a “Watch Together” feature that allows livestreaming of free NFL games with friends. The Android phone, with a 5.4-inch 720p display, has an 8-megapixel rear camera, 5-megapixel front camera, 2 GB RAM, a rear fingerprint sensor, face-unlock and a 2660 mAh battery. Verizon Media CEO Guru Gowrappan called the phone a “unique and valuable offering” with Yahoo’s “unified suite of products, trusted content, commerce and the reliability” of Verizon’s network.