Qualcomm launched a flagship portfolio of mobile connectivity systems Thursday designed to make use of fast connection speeds made possible by Wi-Fi 6 and audio advances in Bluetooth 5.2. The SoCs could be in the market by year-end or early 2021, Rahul Patel, senior vice president-connectivity and networking, told us. When the FCC opened the 5.9-7.1 GHz band in the U.S. for unlicensed wireless communication, “Wi-Fi became a big beneficiary,” Patel said, saying wireless speeds will now approach those of wired networks. That will enable low latency experiences not possible before for virtual reality head-mounted displays and 4K video streaming. The 1200 MHz of additional spectrum more than doubles the number of pathways available for sending and receiving data, Qualcomm said. Patel attributed VR’s slow start to the inability to connect to far distances with low latency: That’s being addressed with 5G on the phone side and Wi-Fi 6 in homes, "allowing you to experience the kind of low latency that makes these experiences worthwhile.” Reacting to the announcement, Commissioner Mike O'Rielly tweeted that "6 GHz innovation is going to be revolutionary." It's "great news for future of wireless connectivity!"

The Platforms for Advanced Wireless Research (PAWR) Project Office awarded $2.7 million to DOD for 5G research at a Salt Lake City testbed. The tests will demonstrate how two carriers can use spectrum in the same citizens broadband radio service channel “autonomously with the help of a decision engine designed to coordinate spectrum usage at a highly granular level,” PAWR said Wednesday.

Comments are due June 29, replies July 27 in response to the FCC's Further NPRM on 6 GHz rules approved by commissioners 5-0 in April (see 2004230059), says Thursday's Federal Register.

An order FCC commissioners approved 5-0 in April (see 2004230059), allocating 1,200 MHz for sharing with Wi-Fi and other unlicensed use in 6 GHz, takes effect July 27, said Tuesday's Federal Register.

Comments are due June 18 on a March White House 5G security report (see 2003250047), says a notice expected in Thursday's Federal Register.

Comments are due June 25, replies July 27 in docket 20-32 on the FCC NPRM on the proposed 5G Fund (see 2004230046), said Tuesday's Federal Register.

Industry and public interest groups asked the FCC Tuesday to reallocate 500 MHz at 12.2-12.7 GHz for 5G. The Competitive Carriers Association, Computer & Communications Industry Association, Incompas, Open Technology Institute at New America and Public Knowledge asked the agency to act on a longstanding petition by the MVDDS 5G Coalition (see 1802070045). “Technical rules for 12.2-12.7 GHz are obsolete and burdensome, preventing use of this spectrum for 5G,” said the letter in RM-11768: “Given the changes in technology since these rules were first set by the Commission in 2002, maintaining these restrictions appears to be unwarranted.” If the FCC allows two-way, 5G wireless broadband, “initial use cases” would include fixed broadband, mobile 5G and the IoT, the groups said. “There is broad support for the FCC to move forward with conversations on the 12 GHz band, which will benefit consumers and the economy and help close the digital divide,” said CCA President Steve Berry. "It’s time for the FCC to kick start the 12 GHz conversation, get every argument out in the open," said Incompas CEO Chip Pickering.

The FCC approved a waiver of the 900 MHz application freeze sought by the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), New York, so it can upgrade its communications system. The waiver is in keeping with the goals of the FCC’s recent 900 MHz order (see 2005130057), the Wireless Bureau said in a Friday decision. “Grant of LIPA’s request ultimately will result in a de minimis net change to the geographic landscape, given the relocation of channels from Anterix’s sites covering all of Manhattan and parts of Long Island and New Jersey, to LIPA’s sites covering virtually all of Long Island and larger water areas,” the bureau said.

Google’s participation in the most recent stage of vertical location accuracy testing “demonstrates that device-based solutions offer promise to meet the goal of providing accurate Z-axis location information with indoor wireless 9-1-1 calls,” CTIA and Google representatives told an aide to FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr. Test results show “the prospect of rapid scalability and consistency to deliver Z-axis location measurements beyond the top 25/top 50” markets, said a filing posted Friday in docket 07-114.

Charter Communications said a new technical analysis shows C-band operations are an interference threat to licensed and unlicensed use of the nearby citizens broadband radio service band. “The level of interference that will be experienced by CBRS could result in degradation and devaluation of this valuable mid-band spectrum, undermining the competition and innovation that will only continue to grow and flourish in this spectrum band,” Charter said in calls with FCC staff. But Charter said the FCC could solve problems by requiring C-band licensees to make time division duplexing (TDD) available to CBRS licensees and users upon request: “Mandating TDD synchronization is critical because there is no assurance that larger carriers will voluntarily work cooperatively with new entrants and smaller carriers to address this problem and resolve interference for all carriers.” Charter spoke with staff from the Wireless Bureau and Office of Engineering and Technology and aides to Commissioners Mike O’Rielly and Geoffrey Starks, said a filing posted Friday in docket 18-122.