The FCC received OMB clearance to collect more granular data on public safety deployments in the 4.9 GHz band, said a notice for Monday’s Federal Register. The collection requirement takes effect that day, the notice said. FCC commissioners approved it as part of an order last year (see 2301180062).

The FCC Office of Engineering and Technology conditionally approved Axon Networks’ plan to operate an automated frequency coordination (AFC) system to manage access to the 6 GHz band by standard-power unlicensed devices. In February, OET approved the applications of seven AFC providers (see 2402230050) and in July, conditionally approved C3Spectra's application. Axon “has sufficiently demonstrated that it has the technical capability and knowledge to operate an AFC system and may now move to the testing phase of the AFC system approval process,” said an order posted last week in docket 21-352.

The FCC Office of Engineering and Technology modified a 2021 waiver allowing Zebra Technologies to market its Dart system for precision tracking in NFL and other sports venues, operating at 7125-8500 MHz (see 2104260041). In June, Zebra asked to add seven locations to the list of approved sports venues where the Dart system can operate. “The modifications represent the type of routine adjustments that one would expect from a 32-team professional sports league, including changes to training camp and practice facility locations,” said an order in Friday’s Daily Digest. “In two cases, the construction of new stadiums adjacent to existing facilities are prompting a slight change to the coordinates associated with those sites,” OET said.

T-Mobile on Thursday cut the price of its Home Internet and Small Business Internet services, with prices now starting at $35 monthly with AutoPay and a voice line. The previous starting price was $50/month. “The plans will come with new perks, enhanced performance and Price Lock, so customers’ prices for 5G internet won’t change as long as they stay on their plan (exclusions like taxes and fees apply),” T-Mobile said. In an investors' note, New Street said, “This appears to be a change in the plan structure rather than one of the periodic promotions that T-Mobile has offered intermittently.”

Peter Rysavy of Rysavy Research supported AT&T's arguments about reconfiguring the 3 GHz spectrum range, moving the citizens broadband radio service to 3.1-3.3 GHz (see 2410090037). That would open the 3.55-3.70 GHz band for wide-area, high-power licensed use “consistent with the adjacent 3.7 and 3.45 GHz bands,” Rysavy said. “Until practical and effective spectrum sharing technologies are available, exclusively licensed, full-power spectrum with wide radio channels remains the most effective resource for 5G networks with best results for consumers,” said a filing posted Thursday in docket 17-258. “Diligent efforts” by the National Spectrum Consortium and NTIA are making progress in developing methods of sharing spectrum, “but the realities of implementation are complex and development will take years.”

The FCC Office of Engineering and Technology on Thursday approved Extreme Networks’ request for a waiver of rules for low-power indoor (LPI) devices for 6 GHz access points (APs), to be installed exclusively in indoor sports venues. Extreme plans to use weatherized enclosures, which FCC rules prohibit. Extreme noted the APs will be installed under seats "where they are susceptible to being stepped on, kicked, and having food and drinks spilled on them." The waiver request proved controversial when the FCC took comment last year (see 2310170045). OET noted the “skyrocketing demand for data” at sporting venues. “Extreme’s access points will enable expanded Wi-Fi coverage at indoor sports venues, thereby providing fans access to full capacity, low latency, and high-quality Wi-Fi networks,” the order said. But to protect other 6 GHz users from harmful interference, OET also imposed conditions on the waiver. Among them is a requirement "that Extreme be responsible for manufacturing, distribution, and sales of the access points and ship these access points directly to the relevant venue,” OET said: “This waiver would not permit operations in any outdoor locations, such as the stands of the stadium with a retractable roof or any outdoor areas associated with an indoor stadium.” The waiver is also limited to professional teams' indoor stadiums and arenas or those with a seating capacity of more than 3,000 persons.

The FCC Office of Engineering and Technology approved Axon Enterprise’s request for a waiver, allowing it to market three investigative and surveillance devices to law enforcement agencies. The devices would operate at higher power levels than allowed under FCC rules in heavily used 5 GHz spectrum. The Axon waiver has proven controversial (see 2403080044). The company proposed in July that its devices operate primarily using channels at the upper and lower edges of the U-NII-3 band, attempting to address the concerns of Wi-Fi advocates (see 2407310049). “Based on the record of this proceeding and the above analysis, we are convinced that the Axon devices can be operated without unduly jeopardizing Wi-Fi operations,” OET said Thursday. It noted that first responders will use the devices in emergencies, for short periods and mostly indoors. “We recognize the concerns from Wi-Fi operators that, under the terms of the initial waiver request, Axon’s devices could still lead to Wi-Fi interference," the order said: “However, we note that Axon … has indicated that it would be willing to accept waiver conditions and limitations appropriate to the limited scope of its product’s use.”

The FCC Office of Engineering and Technology approved on Thursday a waiver sought by the Wi-Fi Alliance allowing automated frequency coordination systems in the 6 GHz band to take building entry loss (BEL) into account for “composite” standard-power and low-power devices that are restricted to operating indoors. The FCC sought comment on the waiver request last year (see 2304060049). OET noted that it now has four waiver requests before it that are seeking the change. Allowing AFC systems “to consider BEL when determining channel availability will increase the operating power of the composite … access points when appropriate, thereby increasing their utility to consumers,” OET said: “The greater operating power will enable the access points to provide increased indoor coverage and/or provide higher data rates,” which “will expand the use of the 6 GHz band, thereby furthering the Commission’s goal of encouraging more efficient spectrum use.” OET is limiting the BEL AFC systems may use in their calculations “such that the risk of harmful interference occurring is not increased compared to operation under the Commission’s current rules,” the order said.

Comments are due on Feb. 3, replies March 4, on a Further NPRM that FCC commissioners approved as part of an item last month establishing the Alaska Connect Fund (ACF) (see 2411050002), said a notice in Wednesday’s Federal Register. The FNPRM asks about mobile issues. The commission is seeking comment on “a methodology to determine a support amount for areas where more than one mobile provider had been receiving support for overlapping service areas.” It asks about “ACF Mobile Phase II service requirements, as well as how to eliminate duplicative support in ACF Mobile Phase II so that only one provider would continue to receive funding in duplicate-support areas,” among other issues. Comments should be posted in 10-90 and other dockets, the notice said.

Anterix representatives spoke with an aide to FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington, seeking action on a rulemaking authorizing 5/5 MHz broadband deployments in the 900 MHz band (see 2405210041). The representatives discussed the interest of utilities and other critical infrastructure companies in using band. “The FCC decision to create a 900 MHz broadband segment has already enabled utilities across the nation, including rural areas, to design, deploy, and operate private broadband networks tailored to their highly demanding specifications,” said a filing posted Wednesday in docket 24-99. “These networks are supported by an ecosystem of more than a hundred equipment vendors and other suppliers, an ecosystem launched in response to the FCC’s action and essential for addressing the nation’s need for a reliable, efficient, secure electric grid,” Anterix said.