NTIA urged the FCC to take steps to phase out use of emergency locator transmitters (ELTs) that are operated in the 121.5 MHz band by pilots of small aircraft, in favor of systems that use the 406 MHz band. ELTs must be installed in many aircraft under FAA rules. NTIA said that “406 MHz ELTs are superior to 121.5 MHz-only equipment in their ability to increase the efficiency and accuracy of search and rescue operations, thereby minimizing threats to life and property, reducing costs of federal and state search and rescue operations, and improving the likelihood that such operations will be successful"(http://bit.ly/1dtA4jz). “The costs to aircraft owners to transition from 121.5 MHz-only to 406 MHz ELTs have declined in recent years and likely will continue to do so in the years to come. These costs are significant but must be balanced against other compelling factors in this proceeding.” Last year, the Department of Transportation and FAA said the FCC should allow use of both systems. While 406 MHz systems are superior “we believe that 121.5 MHz-only ELTs continue to provide a beneficial means of locating missing aircraft in critical emergency situations and that a prohibition of their use should not be imposed by regulation,” DOT and FAA said (http://bit.ly/1ki2gOQ).

Representatives of Space Data and Oceus Networks briefed FCC Public Safety Bureau staff on the results of a July test of a high altitude balloon platform outfitted with a 4G LTE unit, said an ex parte filing from the companies (http://bit.ly/1au95cB). The tests were designed to “assess the viability of using a deployable aerial communications architecture (DACA) for communications restorations within the first 72 hours of a disaster,” the companies said.

The Free State Foundation said the FCC should take seriously Lifeline changes sought by TracFone (http://bit.ly/LQAyuc), including a proposal that eligible telecommunications carriers be allowed to retain income-based and program-based eligibility documentation. The FCC Wireline Bureau sought comment on the petition (http://bit.ly/1eyjELs). “By now, the Commission should be aware of its problematic rules which erect unnecessary barriers to efficient subscriber eligibility determinations,” FSF said in a blog post Wednesday (http://bit.ly/LzfuHL). “Reforms that help ensure Lifeline subsidies are distributed only to eligible applicants, based on a proper application review process, will help achieve the commendable goals of the program. Unlike those parts of the USF program that distribute subsidies in a more indiscriminate fashion, like the high-cost fund, Lifeline provides targeted subsidies to those in need who meet income eligibility requirements. The Lifeline program is worthwhile, but it can only be sustained if it is administered efficiently and with minimal levels of fraud and abuse. That’s why reforms like those proposed by TracFone are necessary to improve the Lifeline program and to maintain public confidence that Lifeline funds are not being wasted."

Fibertech Networks said it activated what it called the “first outdoor metro small cell site in the nation.” An unidentified wireless carrier for commercial traffic is using the small cell site, Fibertech said. “There has been a tremendous amount of press and speculation in the wireless segment about small cell, and the potential explosion of wireless carrier’s deployment of this technology, but until now it has been limited to planning discussions and internal testing,” said Michael Hurley, Fibertech vice president-sales and marketing, in a Wednesday news release. Metro small cells look similar to outdoor distributed antenna system nodes, but have their own deployment requirements, Fibertech said. The company said it expects metropolitan small cells will become a key way to allow “wireless carriers to increase broadband network reach and capacity” (http://bit.ly/1ke567k).

The FCC should not impose broad tower siting rules on local governments, said the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors, the National Association of Counties, the National League of Cities and the U.S. Conference of Mayors in comments filed at the agency. The comments are at odds with industry arguments in the same docket (CD Feb 5 p3). “The vast majority of wireless broadband infrastructure projects are processed and deployed in a timely manner, respecting not only the needs of providers, but also the desires of the communities they serve,” the groups said. “Therefore, Commenters urge the Commission to refrain from adopting formal rules that would impose a one-size-fits-all interpretation of Section 6409, which, we believe, could prove to be unworkable to the extent that such rules could hinder deployment.” Joseph Van Eaton, a lawyer from the Best Best firm who represents cities, said in an email late Tuesday he sees room for compromise on siting rules now before the FCC. “There is definitely room for common ground,” Van Eaton said. “That’s one of the reasons we suggested that the agency allow local governments and industry to agree on best practices. And even if rules are adopted, I think we'll see broad consensus that Section 6409 does not preempt all local conditions on placement. Some industry commenters conceded, for example, that localities could maintain stealth requirements and that local authority to protect public health and safety was not implicated by Section 6409.”

Many more U.S. adults are protecting smartphones with a password, but nearly half are sharing those passwords with others and more than half are sending or receiving intimate content with those smartphones, said McAfee Tuesday (http://on.wsj.com/MrEfq9). Sixty-nine percent secure their smartphone with a password, up from 39 percent in 2012, said a news release about the survey. But 46 percent of those surveyed share that password with another individual, McAfee said. “With all the stories we've heard about intimate photos being leaked, it’s hard to believe people are still sharing their passwords,” said Gary Davis, vice president of McAfee consumer business. “Ultimately, they're increasing the risks of these photos becoming public and possibly jeopardizing their identity and reputation.” The conclusions were drawn from 1,519 online surveys conducted Dec. 3-16 of U.S. adults ages 18 to 54.

The announcement Monday that the Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are moving forward on wide deployment of vehicle-to-vehicle warning systems (CD Feb 4 p4) could have negative implications for the use of the same 5.9 GHz band for Wi-Fi, Hogan Lovells said in a post on its regulatory law blog. “Regulating in the space of connected and autonomous mobility is complicated,” wrote Jacqueline Glassman, a partner who specializes in transportation law (http://bit.ly/1fM8v9t). “The federal Vehicle Safety Act, which was first enacted in 1965, is structured around a fleet of mechanically-driven motor vehicles. The Act authorizes NHTSA to promulgate performance-based standards applicable to motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment.” DOT and NHTSA make clear they are “clearing a path to ensure that: (1) motor vehicle safety remains a top federal government priority; (2) DOT and NHTSA remain the primary regulators in the space; and (3) ongoing guidance, regulation and policy continue to be based on research and science -- even if that science takes time to develop and may impede more immediate demands, such as the growing need for more Wi-Fi spectrum,” Glassman wrote.

Bidders need certainty “well in advance” of the AWS-3 auction, “scheduled to begin as soon as September 2014,” including what spectrum will be sold and what the rules of the road will be, Verizon Wireless representatives told FCC Wireless Bureau officials in a meeting last week, said an ex parte filing. “The FCC should continue to work with other government agencies to ensure that it can auction 1755-1780 MHz paired with 2155-2180 MHz,” Verizon said (http://bit.ly/1eRgZJ3). “We discussed the need for potential bidders to know as much as possible about the schedule for re-locating federal users out of the 1755-1780 MHz band, as uncertainty on that issue will affect their valuation of the spectrum.” Verizon also recommended that the AWS-3 spectrum be sold in large Economic Area licenses. “If, however, the Commission were to adopt smaller license area sizes, it is imperative that auction participants be able to combine licenses through package bids,” Verizon said. “We also support auctioning the spectrum in a combination of 5x5 MHz and 10x10 MHz blocks.”

The FCC released an updated list of eligible areas for the reverse auction that will award up to $50 million in one-time Tribal Mobility Fund Phase I support (http://bit.ly/1akSPus). Bidding in the auction is to begin Feb. 25. “The updated list reflects changes to the eligible areas for Auction 902 based on authorizations of support and default determinations from the initial auction of Mobility Fund Phase I support, Auction 901,” the Wireless and Wireline bureaus said Monday in a public notice (http://bit.ly/1aX955H).

AT&T said it would offer a cheaper mobile data plan aimed at families with multiple smartphones or other mobile devices. AT&T said Saturday its new “Mobile Share Value” plans would cost less than its standard shared data plans when it includes at least a 10 GB-per-month bucket of shared mobile data. A value plan at the 10 GB tier would cost from $130 per month to cover two smartphones, with each additional device on the plan costing an extra $15. A 50 GB plan would cost $405 per month for two devices (http://soc.att.com/LDrrwQ). It’s unclear how the other three top U.S. wireless carriers will react to AT&T’s plans, which are “still at a premium to Sprint and T-Mobile US, but a clear discount to Verizon,” said Wells Fargo analyst Jennifer Fritzsche in a note to investors. AT&T added a net 566,000 postpaid wireless subscribers during Q4, ending the quarter with a net $6.9 billion profit on $33.2 billion in revenue.