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.
The FCC is asking for comments March 31, replies April 14, on the AWS-3 NPRM that commissioners approved 4-0 last month (see 2502270042), according to a notice for Thursday’s Federal Register. Comments are due April 10, replies April 25, on the bidding procedures notice (see 2503110061). New Street’s Blair Levin told us in an email that it makes sense for the FCC to release the AWS-3 notice while an NPRM on the auction is in progress. “The AWS-3 proceeding will be one of the easiest FCC auction proceedings ever,” Levin said. “After all, pretty much all the issues have been addressed before. So there is little need to wait for the NPRM,” and “there is a congressional clock ticking.” Comments should be filed in dockets 25-70, 25-71 or 13-185.
AT&T is in pursuit of additional spectrum, CFO Pascal Desroches said at a Deutsche Bank financial conference Tuesday, the same day the FCC released a notice seeking comment on the procedures for an AWS-3 auction (see 2503110061). “If you're in the wireless business, you're always interested in acquiring spectrum because it's the best, most cost-effective way to provide coverage and capacity, and the returns on it are proven and true,” Desroches said. “We would always be interested if more spectrum became available.”
The 2nd Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals on Wednesday scheduled oral argument for April 27 on Verizon’s challenge of a $46.9 million penalty from the FCC for not adequately protecting subscribers’ real-time location information. Commissioners approved the fine on a 3-2 vote last year, along with fines against AT&T and T-Mobile (see 2404290044). All the carriers are challenging the penalties. In February, the 5th Circuit heard oral argument in AT&T’s challenge of a $57 million fine (see 2502030050). The government defended the order in the 5th Circuit even though current FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and Republican Commissioner Nathan Simington had dissented.
The Wireless Infrastructure Association on Wednesday praised the CTIA's choice of former FCC Chairman Ajit Pai as the group’s president and CEO, effective April 1 (see 2503120036). He was picked following an executive search by Korn Ferry International. Pai is “an effective leader with the right mix of government and industry experience to help propel the wireless industry forward,” said Patrick Halley, WIA president and CEO. “WIA looks forward to working with him and the CTIA team to ensure every consumer and enterprise in America benefits from the power of wireless connectivity.” Pai “brings a wealth of knowledge and perspective from his years of public and private sector experience,” said Rhonda Johnson, AT&T executive vice president-regulatory relations.
Software provider Telness Tech is working with T-Mobile to offer its platform for use by mobile virtual network operators using T-Mobile’s network, the Swedish company said Tuesday. “This marks an important step for Telness Tech in the U.S. market,” said a news release: “By using Telness Tech’s software with T-Mobile’s 5G network, MVNOs can streamline operations, automate processes, and improve customer experiences.”
John Strand of Strand Consult said he's hopeful that President Donald Trump's administration will be able to find a solution to make more government spectrum available for 5G (see 2503100058). The first Trump administration had a spectrum strategy but never released it, Strand emailed. “One would like to think that Trump 2.0 is smarter and more effective,” he said. If Trump is able “to fix Ukraine, and Gaza, he can certainly resolve” disputes between the Pentagon and the Department of Commerce, Strand said.
Aviation and maritime communications entities are concerned about SpaceX's direct-to-device ambitions in the 1429-2690 MHz range causing interference, according to comments posted Tuesday in docket 23-135. The Aerospace and Flight Test Radio Coordinating Council said the 1435-1525 MHz and 2360-2395 MHz bands are workhorses used for aeronautical mobile telemetry. In addition, mobile satellite service providers' requests for D2D services in new spectrum bands should come with specific showings of spectrum compatibility, depending on the spectrum sub-band in which the services will be provided. AFTRCC said SpaceX has made "conclusory assertions" about compatibility but not held substantive discussions about compatibility issues concerning different types of incumbent users in the 1429-2690 MHz range.
Summit Ridge told the FCC that the 3.45 GHz relocation reimbursement clearinghouse was closed as of March 5 (see 2501070073). “The Relocation Costs plus Clearinghouse Costs totaled $3,622,328.52 … which is the same as the Initial Estimate in the Invoices to the License Winners,” said a filing posted this week in docket 19-348. “License Winners will receive neither a refund nor an invoice for additional funds.”