With FirstNet still getting off the ground, now isn’t the time to tinker with rules for the wireless priority service (WPS), FirstNet partner AT&T commented in FCC docket 96-86. In July, NTIA petitioned the FCC to launch an NPRM to update the rules for the WPS, designed to give priority to calls by public officials over other callers during times of network overload (see 1807100040). Initial comments were due at the FCC Tuesday. “If the Commission proceeds with a rulemaking," AT&T asked, "employ a light touch.” TechFreedom, the only other commenter so far, said the proceeding shouldn’t look at issues of net neutrality and complaints about Verizon slowing Santa Clara County, California, firefighters’ service (see 1808290044). Santa Clara County Fire Prevention District (FPD) has become the “poster child” for Communications Act Title II regulation of the internet, TechFreedom said. “The FPD chose a data plan (4G speeds only for the first 25 GB/month, but ‘unlimited’ data after that) that was manifestly unsuited for their needs (up to 300 GB/month of 4G data), and then apparently misunderstood that Verizon’s generous policy of suspending speed restrictions when government users claimed emergency circumstances did not mean the device would be permanently exempted from such caps.”

FCC rules requiring any nonfederal public safety agency seeking to license mobile and portable units on federal interoperability channels to obtain written concurrence from its statewide interoperability coordinator or a state-appointed official take effect Wednesday. The Office of Management and Budget approved, for three years, the information collection associated with the order, says a Federal Register notice.

The FCC Wireless Bureau will host its annual workshop on the environmental compliance and historic preservation review process required for building wireless towers Oct. 11-12, the bureau said Tuesday. “Training will include information relevant to the construction of all new communications towers and the collocation of communications equipment on existing towers and other structures." The public meeting starts at 9 a.m. each day in the Commission Meeting Room.

The Wireless ISP Association asked the FCC to “modernize” the over-the-air reception devices rule to apply to all fixed wireless transmitters and receivers, “so long as the equipment meets the existing size restrictions for customer-end equipment.” Extending OTARD to all fixed wireless equipment, “while maintaining the existing size limits and exceptions for safety and historical purposes -- regardless of whether it is used for reception, transmission, or both -- would be consistent with the original intent of OTARD, will accelerate the deployment of competitive broadband services in markets across the country, and will empower consumers to help bring competitive wireless broadband to their communities by hosting hub sites,” WISPA said in docket 17-79.

C Spire began a $300 trade-in for preordering the Samsung Galaxy Note9 until Sept. 13. It includes a bundled pair of AKG noise-canceling headphones or Fortnite Galaxy skin with 15,000 V-bucks, or both for $99.

GCI customers can now receive wireless emergency alerts on mobile devices, the carrier said. GCI launched an alerts app in 2011 and did a test Aug. 15 that confirmed subscribers in WEA service areas can get alerts. “For the past year, GCI has been working to implement network and device updates that will enable Alaska customers to receive enhanced messages directly to their device through the national WEA system,” GCI said Saturday.

Verizon will face lots of competition in each of the four cities targeted for an initial 5G launch, Kagan reported. “Verizon will be competing against deep-rooted market incumbents.” Comcast is the big player in three of the markets -- Houston, Indianapolis and Sacramento, while Charter Communications dominates in Los Angeles, Kagan said. “Though each market has a broadband penetration rate above 70%, Verizon is clearly hoping to challenge the cable bundle, as it is offering Alphabet's YouTube TV and Apple Inc.'s Apple TV 4K as part of its broadband package in the four launch cities."

Railroads are making progress on installing positive train control, the Federal Railroad Administration said Thursday as it released data on railroads’ self-reported progress toward implementing PTC. As of June 30, 15 railroads have installed 100 percent of required PTC system, and 12 have installed 95-99 percent, FRA said. “All railroads, except for one, that use spectrum-based PTC systems have acquired sufficient spectrum,” FRA said. “This marks a significant improvement from December 2016, where freight railroads had PTC active on just 16 percent of required tracks, while passenger railroads were at 24 percent.”

Sections 253 and 332(c)(7) of the Communications Act apply fully to FCC oversight of local siting decisions on wireless carrier access to utility poles, Verizon said in a docket 17-79 filing. Verizon said it's refuting arguments by some state and local governments. “Congress did not unambiguously indicate that the Communications Act applies only to state and local governments acting in their regulatory capacity, and the Commission should reasonably interpret Sections 253 and 332(c)(7) as applying to state and local governments regardless of whether they act in a proprietary or regulatory capacity,” Verizon said. The FCC should decide that “states and localities act in a regulatory capacity when they make decisions regarding the placement of wireless facilities on city-owned poles, triggering the application of Sections 253 and 332(c)(7) to their actions.”

Sprint and T-Mobile should be allowed to bid independently in the 28 and 24 GHz band auctions, despite their proposed deal, the Competitive Carriers Association told the FCC. They sought clarity from the FCC, which asked for comment in docket 18-85 (see 1808080046). The business combination agreement (BCA) between the two “does not fall within the letter or the spirit of its anti-collusion rules because the BCA does not relate to the licenses being auctioned,” CCA said. Based on the version filed with the SEC, the BCA preserves the Parties’ independence to participate or not in the upcoming … auctions.” The potential bidders “are entitled to fair notice whether their pending transactions allow them to bid on the valuable [high-band] spectrum so critical for 5G deployment,” CCA said.