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.”

BTIG’s Walter Piecyk said the FCC needs to make more mid-band spectrum available for 5G, echoing a growing pro-mid-band drumbeat (see 1904120058). “Governments around the world are auctioning mid-band spectrum for 5G and, as a result, 5G networks are getting launched with more than just hot-spot coverage,” Piecyk said Wednesday, noting KT in Korea recently launched a 5G network using 3.5 GHz spectrum. “That’s the company that Verizon rushed to beat with their 5G 'launch' in Chicago and Minneapolis earlier this month,” Piecyk said. “We have not been to Korea to test this network, but based on the press reports and coverage maps, KT appears to offer superior coverage to what we experienced on Verizon’s mmWave 5G network in Chicago, last week.” Verizon didn't comment.

The clock phase of the 24 GHz auction ended Wednesday with $1.99 billion in gross proceeds and bidders claiming 2,904 of 2,909 available licenses, the FCC said. The agency stopped the auction after round 91. Winning bidders will now bid for frequency-specific licenses in the assignment phase with a public notice coming soon on when that phase will start, the FCC said. The auction had a “successful conclusion,” said Scott Bergmann, CTIA senior vice president-regulatory affairs: “We look forward to the final results of this auction, as well as making progress on mid-band spectrum availability.”

The FCC will go from five bidding rounds Tuesday to eight Wednesday as it speeds up the 24 GHz auction. The auction has been stuck just below $2 billion and closed Tuesday with $1.99 billion in gross proceeds.

TracFone representatives discussed the FCC’s 2016 Lifeline order and the recent launches of the national verifier with an aide to Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. “TracFone reiterated its concern that, in many states, the National Verifier lacks access to SNAP [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program] and Medicaid databases, which can result in significant Lifeline re-verification failure rates,” said a filing posted Tuesday in docket 17-287. “In states that do not have access to a SNAP database and where Lifeline recipients are using manual verification, TracFone proposed that applicants could demonstrate Lifeline eligibility using a SNAP card along with additional eligibility documentation.”

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr will speak about 5G workforce development Thursday at Aiken Technical College in Graniteville, South Carolina, his office said Tuesday. The speech is part of a three-day swing by Carr through Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. Carr will travel with Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., Wednesday.