SpaceX is backing AT&T's proposal that SpaceX and T-Mobile gain approval for direct-to-device operations while deferring consideration of SpaceX's petition to harmonize U.S. out-of-band-emissions limits for supplemental coverage from space with international protections for terrestrial systems (see 2410080045). Such an approach ensures "consumers and first responders can receive emergency alerts and use text messaging during the early stages of SpaceX’s deployment of its direct-to-cellular network" yet not foreclose other essential supplemental coverage services like voice and video as the network scales up, it said in a docket 23-135 filing posted Monday.

A one-day GPS outage could cost the American economy $1.6 billion, NextNav said Monday, citing a Brattle Group economic analysis it commissioned. NextNav said its petition seeking to reconfigure the 902-928 MHz band to allow a terrestrial complement to GPS for positioning, navigation and timing services (see 2404160043) represents "the equivalent of offering the American economy a $10.8 billion insurance policy to protect against GPS outages," or 20 years of insurance premiums.

A coalition of banking and utility companies urged that the FCC adopt a draft order that was removed from consideration during its September open meeting (see 2409200036). The American Bankers Association, America's Credit Unions, ACA International, Bank Policy Institute, Mortgage Bankers Association, Student Loan Servicing Alliance, and Edison Electric Institute said in a meeting with an aide to Commissioner Brendan Carr that the draft order's proposal that requires wireless providers to offer email-to-text as an opt-in service will "significantly reduce the use of email-to-text to send illegal text messages." Texts impersonating legitimate businesses "harm consumers and undermine those business' ability to communicate with their customers," the coalition said in an ex parte filing posted Monday in docket 17-59.

Fraud isn't a valid reason to reject an FCC proposal requiring that all mobile wireless providers unlock handsets, as there are ways to reduce fraud risk, according to the cable industry. In a docket 24-186 filing Monday, it urged a 180-day period after a provider initiates service before unlocking is required, instead of the FCC's proposed 60 days. It said the shorter span often isn't enough time for a customer to identify fraud, such as through an unauthorized credit card charge, and get the issue resolved before the handset gets unlocked. It said the agency also should make clear a provider has the ability to decline an unlocking request if it has a good-faith belief the handset is subject to fraud. Cable representatives want a transition period of at least six months before unlocking rules take effect, letting providers update their internal procedures. The filing recapped meetings NCTA, Comcast, Charter and Cox Communications conducted with the offices of FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, Commissioners Brendan Carr, Geoffrey Starks and Nathan Simington and with Office of Engineering and Technology and Wireless Bureau staff.

Noting the lower 37 GHz band's importance to Starry's fixed wireless access operations, CEO Alex Moulle-Berteaux discussed lower 37 GHz coordination regime with Commissioner Brendan Carr and other FCC staff. Moulle-Berteaux urged a two-phase coordination process modeled on the existing 70/80 GHz band and largely following the process outlined in the recent lower 37 GHz band public notice (see [Ref;2408090034]), said the docket 24-243 filing Friday. That approach would let users and services develop technologies in the band, while allowing co-equal co-primary coordination into the band, he said. Starry said tweaks could come over time, reflecting better dynamic sharing technology and allowing more intensive use. Company officials also met with the offices of the other four commissioners and staffers from the Wireless Bureau and Office of Engineering and Technology.

A February FCC order allowing wireless multichannel audio system (WMAS) operations in the broadcast TV and other low-power auxiliary bands, on a licensed basis, is effective Nov. 18, said a Friday notice in the Federal Register. Commissioners unanimously approved the long-awaited order, which wireless mic companies had promoted (see 2402150037).

Groups representing electric utilities on Friday opposed a controversial proposal giving the FirstNet Authority effective control of the 4.9 GHz band. The Edison Electric Institute, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and the Utilities Technology Council expressed “grave concern” about rumors the FCC is considering an order that would “cede local control of the 4.9 GHz band from public safety organizations” to the authority. Taking control from public safety users “could undermine their ability to tailor communications solutions to their specific needs,” the utilities said: It could “stifle the development of non-commercial applications in the band.” The filing said “fundamental questions have been raised about FirstNet's legal authority to operate outside the 700 MHz band, and its past performance with AT&T raises concerns about service prioritization for public safety.” The filing was made in docket 07-100. The FCC has not yet posted it. The FCC should also consider the communications needs of critical infrastructure entities, the groups said.

The FCC released its September directions on applying for designation as a cybersecurity labeling administrator (CLA) or lead administrator under the new voluntary cyber-trust mark program (see 2409100052). The notice for Monday's Federal Register provides guidance on the application format, filing fees, selection criteria, the sharing of expenses, lead administrator neutrality and confidentiality and security requirements. The notice also said written comments on the Paperwork Reduction Act information collection requirements imposed by the rules are due Dec. 20. Commissioners approved the cyber mark program 5-0 in March (see 2403140034).

Consumer and public interest groups on Friday asked the FCC to act on a handset unlocking mandate, proposed in a July NPRM (see 2407180037). “Wireless users are subject to unnecessary restrictions in the form of locked devices, which tie them to their service providers even when better options may be available,” the letter said: “Handset locking practices limit consumer freedom and lessen competition by creating an artificial technological barrier to switching providers.” Among the 15 groups signing on were Public Knowledge, New America’s Open Technology Institute, Consumer Reports, the National Consumers League, the National Consumer Law Center and the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society. T-Mobile, meanwhile, warned that the mandate would harm consumers. It estimates prepaid customers “would see subsidies reduced by 40% to 70% for both its lower and higher-end devices, such as the Moto G, Samsung A15, and iPhone 12,” said a filing made Thursday in docket 24-186: “A handset unlocking mandate would also leave providers little choice but to limit their handset offers to lower cost and often lesser performing handsets.” T-Mobile also questioned whether the FCC has the legal authority to impose the rules. Company representatives spoke with staff from the FCC Wireless Bureau and Office of Economics and Analytics.

UScellular announced on Friday a $1 billion agreement to sell Verizon some of its spectrum licenses, which are not part of the proposed sale of wireless assets to T-Mobile (see 2405280047). T-Mobile is buying “substantially all” of UScellular’s wireless operations in a deal valued at about $4.4 billion, but it's purchasing only some of its spectrum licenses. Verizon agreed to buy UScellular’s 850 MHz, AWS and PCS licenses. “The transaction with Verizon is subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals and satisfaction of customary closing conditions,” said a news release. UScellular said it also has agreements with two unnamed carriers for the sale of spectrum across the C-band, 700 MHz and citizens broadband radio service bands. Buyers and terms weren’t disclosed. The company has yet to reach an agreement on 3.4 billion MHz POPs of low- and mid-band spectrum licenses. Sales are contingent upon closing of the proposed T-Mobile transaction. "We are pleased that significant value for a portion of the remaining licenses will be realized," said Laurent Therivel, UScellular CEO: “We are continuing the process to opportunistically monetize the remaining spectrum assets not included in today's announcement." The transaction isn’t a "surprise,” though “the price was higher than expected,” New Street’s Jonathan Chaplin told investors.