Verizon representatives met with FCC Wireless Bureau staff to discuss the spectral dynamics of the citizens broadband radio service band. While higher allowed equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP) levels create “larger cells, which offer more coverage area, propagation losses are identical, regardless of power level,” said a filing posted Monday in docket 17-258. “The propagation ‘slope’ dictates the ratio of cell edge (cell size area) to interfered area. … This ratio (interference area/cell area) is the same regardless of cell size or allowed EIRP.”

Field Radio Systems asked the FCC to certify it as a commercial operator license examination manager. The company “specializes in off-grid and field communication solutions, providing both equipment and educational training for amateur radio operators, communities, and industry professionals,” said an undocketed filing posted Monday: “We operate a robust Learning Management System for administering technical training and certification courses.”

A lawyer for the International Bridge, Tunnel & Turnpike Association spoke with an aide to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr to ask about adding a question to the commission's draft notice of inquiry on alternatives to GPS for positioning, navigation and timing (PNT). Commissioners are slated to vote on the NOI on March 27 (see 2503060061). NextNav’s proposal for PNT in the 900 MHz band has long been controversial. The NOI should ask about “interference implications for incumbent spectrum users associated with any of the PNT solutions discussed in this NOI,” the association said in a filing posted Monday in docket 25-110. “The addition of this question will produce a more complete record to support Commission decision-making.”

Starry representatives provided an update on the company’s operations and the importance of the 37 GHz band in a meeting with an aide to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. The band is critical “for serving a variety of use cases, especially the band’s unique capacity to enable robust broadband services, including gigabit fixed broadband,” said a filing posted Monday in docket 24-243. Starry “encouraged the Commission to continue its efforts to make spectrum available for innovative wireless services by finalizing the sharing rules for the Lower 37 GHz Band in the near term.” The 37 GHz band was the topic of a DOD study completed last year as part of the Joe Biden administration’s national spectrum strategy (see 2412030057). In August, the FCC released a public notice about the band's future (see 2408090034).

The FCC Wireless Bureau sought comment Friday on a proposed leasing agreement between AT&T and FTC Management Group. The companies proposed the agreement in July, said a notice in docket 25-138. AT&T and FTC would lease 40 MHz of 3.45 GHz spectrum to each other in the Florence and Sumter, South Carolina, partial economic areas. FTC would also lease AWS-1 and AWS-3 spectrum to AT&T in the Florence market. The swap would mean both companies would exceed the FCC’s “aggregation limit” of up to 40 MHz of spectrum in the 3.45 GHz band in various markets, the bureau said. Comments are due March 28, replies April 11.

The FCC Wireless Bureau officially signed off Friday on Summit Ridge’s closing of the 3.45 GHz relocation reimbursement clearinghouse (see 2503110014). “The 3.45 GHz band transition is complete with both incumbent operators, NBCUniversal and Nexstar Broadcasting, having relocated to the 2.9-3.0 GHz band and been reimbursed for their costs of relocation,” the bureau said in docket 19-348.

Comments are due May 16, replies June 16, on a January NPRM seeking comment on current 900 MHz broadband rules, according to a notice for Monday’s Federal Register. The FCC wants input about “whether the current 900 MHz broadband rules, such as the eligibility criteria, application requirements and procedures, licensing and operating rules, and technical requirements, are the appropriate vehicles for effectuating a ten megahertz broadband licensing framework,” the notice said.

Comments are due April 16, replies May 16, on a January NPRM on rules aimed at providing more spectrum for uncrewed aircraft systems. The comment dates came in a notice for Monday’s Federal Register. The FCC adopted the NPRM unanimously, but Commissioner Anna Gomez recused herself from voting on the 450 MHz portion of it (see 2501170023). The NPRM proposes opening the 450 MHz band “to aeronautical command and control operations; allowing for a single, nationwide license in the band; and adopting flexible licensing, operating, and technical rules that will facilitate robust use of the band at a range of altitudes while minimizing interference to neighboring operations,” Monday's notice said: “It also proposes expanding radiolocation operations in the 24.45-24.65 GHz band for uncrewed aircraft system detection operations” and “proposes to modernize the Commission’s legacy power rules for Commercial Aviation Air-Ground Systems in the 849-851 and 894-896 MHz band, which is used for in-flight connectivity."

Southern Ohio Communication Services (SOCS) asked the FCC for an extra 90 days to complete the removal of Chinese equipment from its network. The carrier has already received two extensions, according to a filing posted Thursday in docket 18-89. The only remaining covered equipment in the network “is one ZTE router, which has been powered down and is awaiting transport to the destruction warehouse,” while other gear awaits disposal, the filing said.

Dish Wireless parent EchoStar is interested in leasing spectrum to smaller carriers and tribes, the Rural Wireless Association told members Thursday. Leases are available “on a first-come, first-serve basis” in the 600 MHz, 700 MHz, citizens broadband radio service, AWS-3, AWS-4 and AWS H-block bands, RWA said. “EchoStar is making its spectrum licenses available for lease pursuant to conditions imposed by the FCC in a granted extension request of its final 5G construction milestones,” the group said.