Smaller carriers are lining up against Verizon, which asked the FCC to let it adopt a temporary, 60-day lock on 4G LTE handsets to ensure bona fide customers are purchasing the handsets. Verizon faces special restrictions because of the rules for the 700 C-block spectrum the carrier bought at auction. “This targeted, 60-day period will enable Verizon to determine whether a new device was obtained by a legitimate customer who makes the first payment on that device and that the payment clears processing,” it replied, posted Monday in docket 06-150. “This is similar to, though narrower than, the locking practices of other large U.S. wireless carriers, except that unlike all other carriers Verizon will unlock the device automatically at the end of the 60-day period, regardless of whether the device has been fully paid off.” The Rural Wireless Association said the FCC should reject the request. “When the Commission adopted its open access requirements in the 700 MHz Order, including the handset locking rule, it did so based on a complete record and with clarity,” RWA said. T-Mobile and other carriers opposed Verizon in initial comments. “Rules governing devices using the 700 MHz C Block were adopted based on a record that leaves little doubt about what the Commission intended,” T-Mobile said.

Apple had 36 percent, Samsung 34 percent of U.S. smartphone activations in March, while Motorola (with 10 percent) stole share from LG (11 percent), Consumer Intelligence Research Partners reported. Smartphone brand share is more variable than mobile operating system share, noted CIRP's Mike Levin: Samsung has typically had the highest share, from 30-39 percent depending on product launch calendars from March 2015-March 2019, he said, while Apple share varied from 29 percent-40 percent. “The most notable trend has Motorola taking share from LG and threatening to take over third place in the smartphone market,” said the analyst.

Sprint laid out its stance on the 2.5 GHz band and educational broadband service (EBS), in a Tuesday meeting with an aide to FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks. A year ago, commissioners approved 4-0 an NPRM seeking proposals for changes to the band, including a possible incentive auction (see 1805100053). There's "strong support across both the EBS community and commercial interests for ‘rationalization’ of existing EBS licensees to county-based licenses and ... that critical step in licensing 2.5 GHz spectrum would both close operational gaps and lead to more rural deployment,” Sprint said in docket 18-120 filing Thursday. There's "continued criticality of its leased 2.5 GHz spectrum and its long-standing mutually beneficial partnership with the EBS community which has enhanced Sprint's current 4G LTE deployment and will enable its 5G mobile deployment in nine major markets in the first half of 2019.”

Microsoft officials said they met with Chief Julius Knapp and others from the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology about the need for further changes to the TV white spaces rules. Among changes the company seeks are increasing the maximum height above average terrain of fixed white space devices from 250 meters to 500 meters, increasing radiated power in less congested areas from 40 to 42 dBm, permitting geofenced fixed operations on moving platforms and promoting the narrowband IOT, said a filing posted Friday in docket 12-268. "These improvements are the product of Microsoft’s experience with White Spaces technology including input from device manufacturers and rural broadband providers, as well as extensive discussions with other stakeholders," the company said.

NTIA is reopening the period for seeking appointment to the FirstNet Board. The deadline was Thursday to file an expression of interest. That was extended until April 26, said a notice for Friday's Federal Register.

More will be known when the FCC releases a list of winning bidders in the 24 GHz auction, Citi’s Michael Rollins told investors late Wednesday. The clock phase of the auction ended Wednesday (see 1904170047). “The most significant takeaway is that bidders in the 24 GHz auction placed a higher value on spectrum that could be aggregated to form a contiguous block larger than 200 MHz,” Rollins said. Average spectrum price in markets with “greater competitive bidding intensity was in the range of 1.5-2.5 cents per MHz-POP," he said.

The Enterprise Wireless Alliance filed a petition for rulemaking requesting that the FCC designate 800 MHz guard band spectrum as “green space” for incumbent business/industrial and land transportation (B/ILT) licensees that may be required to vacate T-Band spectrum “and for certain 900 MHz incumbents whose narrowband systems may need to be moved to replacement frequencies as part of a transition to create a 900 MHz broadband opportunity.” EWA announced the petition Thursday in a news release. “B/ILT T-Band incumbents deserve recognition of their plight,” said EWA President Mark Crosby. “For whatever reason, the Middle-Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act did not even recognize their presence in the band, which places their wireless investments and operations at future peril. B/ILT licensees do not deserve to be an afterthought.”

A group including Dish Network, small carriers, public interest and consumer groups and labor unions sent a letter to DOJ Antitrust Division Chief Makan Delrahim Thursday asking the department to block the T-Mobile/Sprint deal. T-Mobile and Sprint, meanwhile, had a key meeting at the DOJ Thursday to discuss their proposed transaction, industry officials said. “If allowed to proceed, this transaction would consolidate the nation’s wireless market from four to just three carriers, lead to price increases for virtually all wireless customers, substantially raise wholesale rates for smaller wireless carriers, and cause significant job losses -- all while failing to deliver the promised benefits of accelerated 5G deployment or expanded rural coverage,” the letter argues. “The parties have had more than 11 months to make a convincing argument that their deal is in the public interest and that it will not harm competition. To date, they have failed to make this case.” Among those signing on are the AFL-CIO, Common Cause, Communications Workers of America, Consumer Reports, The Greenlining Institute, Incompas, New America’s Open Technology Institute, Next Century Cities, the Open Markets Institute, Public Knowledge, the Rural Wireless Association and the Wireless ISP Association. The companies didn't comment. "An honest review of the facts clearly shows that this merger is in the best interest of American consumers -- the New T-Mobile will deliver the nation’s best 5G network, create more competition and drive jobs growth," A T-Mobile spokesperson said in response: "This opposition group is clearly focused on maintaining a status quo that benefits them, instead of truly improving things for consumers. We are confident the transaction will be judged on its merits."

The FCC reminded carriers offering wireless emergency alerts they must be able to deliver no later than Nov. 30 geo-targeted messages to 100 percent of the target area, with no more than one-tenth of a mile overshoot, to new mobile devices offered for sale and existing devices capable of being upgraded. The FCC approved the requirement and deadline in January 2018 (see 1801300027).

ARRL signed a memorandum of understanding with the FCC to implement a “new and enhanced” Volunteer Monitor program. “The memorandum establishes the Volunteer Monitors as a replacement for the Official Observers (OO) program. Current OOs have been encouraged to participate in the new program, the group, which represents amateur radio operators, said Tuesday. “We are excited by the opportunity to codify our partnership with the FCC and to work together to achieve our mutual interests of protecting the integrity of our Amateur Radio bands,” said ARRL President Rick Roderick. ARRL estimates “within 6 to 9 months the first Volunteer Monitors will be in place and ready to begin their duties.”