The FCC corrected comment deadlines (see 2004030059) on a December NPRM (see 1912040036) on the range of frequencies for which RF exposure limits should apply and other issues. Comments are due May 15, replies June 15, in docket 19-226, said Wednesday's Federal Register.

The FCC provided more time for site-based and mobile-only wireless systems to meet buildout deadlines but not as much time as the Enterprise Wireless Alliance wanted (see 2003300041). EWA last month asked the FCC to waive until Aug. 31 a requirement that licensees meet deadlines between March 15 and that date. The Wireless and Public Safety bureaus said in a Wednesday order deadlines from March 15 to May 15 are extended 60 days. The action is to provide “temporary relief ... in light of the supply chain delays and other construction and equipment delivery delays that may occur as a result of COVID-19 and the declared state of national emergency,” the bureaus said. The decision to grant “even the relief they did was extremely welcome and much appreciated,” EWA President Mark Crosby said in an interview. The order leaves “the door open” for extensions if necessary, he said. It’s not a good use of FCC staff time to have to address numerous waiver filings as licensees find they can’t get projects built because of COVID-19 complications, he said.

The FCC Wireless Bureau issued a protective order Tuesday in the proceeding on AT&T's proposed $1.95 billion cash sale of wireless and wireline operations in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to Liberty Latin America (see 1910090005). The order, on docket 19-384, covers the spectrum parts. The bureau is limiting access to “proprietary or confidential information” filed with stricter limits on “particularly competitively sensitive information.”

Tech company Dynetics asked the FCC to lift the temporary freeze on nonfederal applications for new or expanded Part 90 operations in the 3.1-3.3 GHz band “in light of the logistical issues presented by the COVID-19 outbreak.” Dynetics sent the same letter to commissioners and the Wireless Bureau. Last summer, the company made a similar request (see 1907080039). “For a very long time there has been no evidence that the 3.1-3.3 GHz range is under active consideration for alternative use,” Dynetics said in a filing posted Tuesday in docket 19-39.

The Fixed Wireless Communications Coalition asked the FCC to change its draft 6 GHz order to better reflect the interference risk from uncontrolled devices in the band, as lobbying continues before commissioners vote next Thursday (see 2004020073). "Portions" are "erroneous based on the undisputed record and would therefore be subject to reversal on appeal,” said a filing posted Tuesday in docket 18-295: “Some modifications” would “better serve the Commission’s purposes without upsetting the Commission’s overall regulatory scheme.” The NFL, which uses ultra-wideband, asked for the ability to register its stadiums within the automated frequency control system. The league said it's not seeking a change to the draft rules to provide additional protection for UWB, which it has sought in the past. AT&T spoke with aides to Chairman Ajit Pai and Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel on its concerns about indoor operations without AFC (see here and here).

FCC-proposed options for a draft 5G Fund auction are bad, said the Competitive Carriers Association. Commissioners vote April 23 on an NPRM (see 2004020066). Basing an auction on bad data “would be unlawful and would risk squandering billions of dollars of taxpayer funds,” CCA said: Delaying an auction until at least 2023 “would unnecessarily delay what should be an urgent priority of closing the digital divide.” More funding is critical, the group said. “As the country comes together to face the largest public health crisis of our lifetime, it is now painfully clear that there are many areas of the country where more work needs to be done to provide and extend Internet connectivity,” CCA said. It filed Monday in docket 20-32 on calls with aides to commissioners and other staff.

The National Spectrum Management Association wants a more comprehensive survey of how 6 GHz is used before opening the swath for sharing with Wi-Fi and other unlicensed users, it told the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology staff. Commissioners vote April 23 (see 2004100047). “Especially during this time when the nation is heavily reliant on these exact mission-critical networks … it is a requirement that well-known, actual-deployment, spectrum management tests be conducted well prior to confirming rules,” the group said in a filing posted Monday in docket 18-295. Comcast said the FCC is too conservative here, with the record showing low-power indoor use at radiated power spectral density of 8 dBm/MHz won't cause harmful interference. But it said “the Draft Order imposes a lower 5 dBm/MHz PSD limit based solely on an unsupported assertion that an 8 dBm/MHz limit would result in a ‘materially higher risk of harmful interference.’” The cable provider spoke with aides to Commissioners Mike O’Rielly, Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks. AT&T said the agency goes too far and should require automated frequency control for all unlicensed devices. Allowing “low power indoor devices to operate without such a capability would be reckless, irresponsible, and unlawful,” AT&T told aides to O’Rielly and Starks (see here and here). Tech companies sought clarity. “Clarify that client device and subordinate access point power limits are based on the regulatory limits of the access point to which they are associated to align them with the text of the order and avoid creating an incentive to increase the power of access point transmissions,” they said: “Limiting client device power based on the actual transmit power of the associated access point would encourage access points to use maximum power.” Apple, Broadcom, Cisco, Facebook and Google were among filing signers. Broadcom separately sought additional OET clarity.

Polaris Wireless CEO Manlio Allegra spoke with Public Safety Bureau staff on the FCC’s November vertical accuracy order for wireless calls to 911 (see 1911220034). The meeting was at the request of the bureau on the company's software for 3-meter z-axis accuracy, said a filing posted Friday in docket 07-114. "That outcome is conditioned on the premise that the Commission makes clear that the April 2021 deadline is ... firm."

APCO asked the FCC to delay allowing unlicensed devices to share 6 GHz, set for a commissioner vote April 23 (see 2004020066). “The Order fails to address several fundamental issues, including basic measures to prevent and promptly eliminate harmful interference,” APCO said: “This likely stems from a pattern of the proponents of expanding unlicensed use … blindly pushing for more spectrum while ignoring the real-world consequences to public safety agencies.” NAB also objected, in calls with aides to the commissioners other than Chairman Ajit Pai, and with Office of Engineering and Technology staff. “In the face of a public health emergency and an evolving economic crisis, it has rarely been more critical to ensure that the nation’s broadcasters have [news] tools they need,” NAB said: “One of the most important of those tools is spectrum necessary to cover news events, including 6 GHz.” Southern Co. said uncontrolled low-power devices would “result in harmful interference to incumbent 6 GHz operations.” The FCC should approve the order as written, Intel CEO Bob Swan said in a call with Pai. Swan said the December C-band auction “will be an important enabler for new 5G deployments.” Filings were posted Friday in docket 18-295.

The Wireless ISP Association asked FCC Office of Engineering and Technology staff for tweaks to a draft order allowing unlicensed devices to share the 6 GHz band. Commissioners vote April 23 (see 2004020066). WISPs welcome the plan to allow standard power outdoor use, with automated frequency control (AFC), in 850 MHz, said a filing posted Thursday in docket 18-295. WISPA suggested making clear access point “is not technology-specific.” Among proposed changes for a Further NPRM, “seek comment on allowing higher powered operation under AFC control" and on accounting for directional antennas, WISPA asked. Berkshire Hathaway Energy amplified "concerns by other utilities regarding the significant harm that interference to utility 6 GHz microwave links would have.” The utility said its links must “remain free of interference or RF saturation that will take away fade margin and ultimately compromise the reliability.” Encina Communications asked to allow operations only with AFC.