Sprint is working with NXM Labs to launch a 5G-ready connected car platform that combines high-speed passenger Wi-Fi with advanced vehicle health monitoring and safety. The platform includes the first blockchain powered IoT security system that guards against hackers, Sprint said. “The NXM platform includes a powerful automotive router that keeps people connected on the road, and through mobile apps, helping to save money and keep track of vehicle performance and location,” the carrier said Wednesday.

AT&T said it will launch next year a narrowband IoT network operating on licensed spectrum, “to meet the growing needs of business customers for a wide range of IoT solutions” in the U.S. and Mexico. The NB-IoT network will complement AT&T’s existing IoT network -- called LTE-M for LTE Cat M (see 1705180058), the carrier said Wednesday. “NB-IoT and LTE-M offer longer battery life, coverage extension, and lower costs than traditional cellular LTE connectivity,” AT&T said. “NB-IoT is ideally suited to meet basic data requirements, while LTE-M provides more robust capabilities including bandwidth for firmware and software updates, mobility and VoLTE (Voice over LTE).”

The Wireless ISP Association generally supports the framework for opening the 6 GHz band while protecting incumbents, as proposed by tech companies last week (see 1806130048), it told the FCC in docket 17-183. “Overall,” the framework is “an excellent starting point for a notice of proposed rulemaking,” WISPA said. “The framework recognizes that indoor devices and outdoor devices should be treated differently given their potential impact on existing operations,” WISPA said. “Ex ante interference protection measures and a periodic database check are essential parts of a comprehensive regulatory framework. Applying these functional requirements will pave the way for shared use of a new unlicensed band that could bring significant benefits.”

T-Mobile and Sprint asked the FCC for a declaratory ruling that “it would not serve the public interest to prohibit indirect foreign ownership of T-Mobile and its subsidiaries of up to 100 percent.” The two filed a petition for declaratory ruling in docket 18-197 as part of the process for T-Mobile’s planned buy of Sprint (see 1806190062). “On multiple occasions in previous granted declaratory rulings, the FCC has repeatedly approved 100 percent indirect ownership in T-Mobile and its wholly owned subsidiaries by T-Mobile’s ultimate parent, Deutsche Telekom,” they said. The FCC has authorized similar ownership of Sprint by Japan’s SoftBank, they said: “No new foreign entities are being introduced as a result of this transaction."

The Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee will meet July 24, NTIA says in Wednesday's Federal Register. The meeting starts at 9 a.m., at the Renaissance Boulder Flatiron Hotel in Broomfield, Colorado. CSMAC is expected to play a role in helping the administration develop a new national spectrum strategy (see 1806130080).

Schools and public interest groups said the FCC should extend by 60 days comment deadlines on a May NPRM on the future of the 2.5 GHz band (see 1805100053). The Catholic Technology Network and the National Educational Broadband Service Association earlier sought 45-day extension (see 1806180041). “Joint Stakeholders require additional time to respond fully, given the broad scope of the NPRM, the complexity of the issues it raises, and the challenges of a summer comment cycle for educators,” said a filing in docket 18-120. “provide enough time to build a thorough record for its ultimate decision by ensuring that all interested parties have sufficient opportunity to develop and submit responsive comments.” The Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition, North American Catholic Educational Programing Foundation, Voqal, Educators and Broadband Providers for American Rural Communities, School Board of Broward County in Florida, Florida Gateway College, Florida Atlantic University, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Public Knowledge and Open Technology Institute at New America signed. Comments are due July 9, replies Aug. 6.

The Electronic Privacy Information Center lacks standing to compel the FAA to create drone privacy rules, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled Tuesday. In its 2016 lawsuit against the FAA, EPIC said the FAA Modernization Act identified "privacy as an important issue to address" in a comprehensive plan to integrate drones into the national airspace (see 1702280006). “The speculative nature of the injury alleged means that EPIC has failed to show that these rules caused either a substantially increased risk of harm or a substantial probability of harm in light of that increased risk,” wrote Judge David Sentelle in the opinion with Judges Merrick Garland and Raymond Randolph. “The FAA has not impaired or injured EPIC’s activities.” EPIC will keep pushing for drone privacy safeguards at the agency, the group said Tuesday. "The ruling speaks for itself," an FAA spokesperson said.

Amazon joined the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance as a charter member, the alliance said Monday. Other members include Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Nominet and Adaptrum. “Our products and services are smarter, faster and more convenient because we have access to unlicensed wireless spectrum,” said Brian Huseman, Amazon vice-president public policy.

Smartwatches in 2022, possibly by 2020, “will make today's smartwatches seem quaint" because adding cellular connectivity and integration with IoT devices enables more efficiencies and “steady" market growth in coming years, IDC analyst Ramon Llamas said Monday: Smartwatches will evolve to include more features and functionalities. Apple's including cellular connectivity on the latest Watch brings “much-needed attention” to the smartwatch category from telcos and boosts consumer acceptance, the research firm said. Other vendors are likely to follow, it said. The wearables market is forecast to have a dip in growth this year, advancing 8.2 percent to 124.9 million units, compared with 10.3 percent in 2017, IDC reported. It’s expected to return to double-digit growth from 2019 to 2022.

Next LED Signs agreed to pay $21,000 and implement a compliance plan to end an investigation of RF violations, the FCC Enforcement Bureau said. The bureau proposed fines against several billboard companies alleging similar violations (see 1805180068). “To settle this matter, Next LED admits that it marketed LED signs without the required equipment authorization, labeling, and user manual disclosures,” the bureau said. The company didn’t comment.