Comments are due Feb. 26, replies March 11, in docket 23-388 on an NPRM seeking comment on implementing a 100% hearing-aid compatibility (HAC) requirement for wireless handsets, which was approved by commissioners in December (see 2312130019), said a notice for Friday’s Federal Register. The NPRM tentatively concludes that a 100% requirement for wireless handsets is "achievable" and seeks comment on expanding the definition of HAC to include the use of Bluetooth coupling between handsets and hearing aids.

FCC commissioners approved ahead of Thursday’s open meeting an order allowing point-to-point links to endpoints in motion in the 70 GHz and 80 GHz bands under Part 101 rules, for aeronautical and maritime users (see 2401040064). Aeronet sought changes to the FCC’s draft order (see 2401120048), which proved controversial (see 2401190040). The commission also adopted a Further NPRM seeking comment “on the addition of another type of link as part of maritime operations otherwise authorized in the Report and Order, and the inclusion of Fixed Satellite Service earth stations in the light-licensing regime for the 70 GHz and 80 GHz bands,” said a news release. The order changes the link registration process in the 70/80/90 GHz bands "to require certification of construction of registered links, which will promote more efficient use of this spectrum and improve the accuracy of the link registration database," the agency said. Also taken off the agenda, a restricted adjudicatory matter from the Media Bureau.

The FCC’s proposed cyber trust mark program for smart devices (see 2311130034) should remain voluntary, which will encourage broad participation, representatives of CTA and other groups said during a meeting with an aide to Commissioner Nathan Simington. Preemption and safe harbors “are critical to the Labeling Program’s success,” said a filing posted Tuesday in docket 23-239: The groups “urged the Commission to ensure that participation in the program operates as a safe harbor under federal law and preempts state law, both with respect to consumer protection laws and substantive cybersecurity standards.” Other groups in the meeting were CTIA, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, USTelecom and the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials representatives briefed an aide to FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks about concerns over the future of the 4.9 GHz band, including its opposition to a Public Safety Spectrum Alliance proposal giving FirstNet control of the spectrum (see 2401160048). In a filing posted Wednesday in docket 07-100, it said, “In response to a question about whether there are different use cases for the 4.9 GHz band, AASHTO noted that some of its members are using the band in conjunction with intelligent transportation systems and in other ways.”

The independent compliance officer (ICO) monitoring how Verizon is undertaking FCC-imposed conditions as part of the company’s Tracfone acquisition (see 2111220069) told the agency parts of the transition are still in progress. Verizon is in the midst of work on its implementation and compliance plan and is "addressing -- in some cases through remediation plans -- the ICO’s Recommendations in prior Reports relating to the Company’s Order compliance program,” a report posted Wednesday in docket 22-210 said: “However, for the most part, these enhancements and/or remediation efforts are still in progress.” The report said Verizon hasn't submitted required data narratives, data maps and other information the ICO requires. For instance, on a handset unlocking requirement “there remain instances where phones could not be activated without substantial customer service intervention” and “a significant number of customers do not receive same-day notification of TracFone’s new 60-day unlocking policy, while a smaller number do not appear to receive the notification at all,” the report said.

T-Mobile picked Nokia to launch a multi-access gateway solution supporting the carrier’s LTE and 55 standalone and non-stand-alone networks, Nokia said Tuesday. The solution “will allow T-Mobile to deliver an affordable, reliable and seamless broadband experience to every customer,” Nokia said: The platform “can incrementally scale the bandwidth for [high-speed internet] traffic to multiple Terabits-per-second, while providing significant power and space efficiency.”

The American Radio Relay League said there's unanimous support in favor of changes the FCC proposed in November that address limits on the baud rate for amateur communications (see 2311130066). The Further NPRM considers removing the baud rate limit in the 2200 meter and 630 meter bands, as well as in the VHF and UHF bands. ARRL supports "deletion of the symbol (baud) rate limitations on the subject bands as proposed, and also requested that the Commission delete the existing bandwidth limits on those same bands,” said a filing posted Tuesday in docket 16-239. “Those submitting comments overwhelmingly supported both actions," ARRL said. The Amateur Radio Digital Communications, which advocates on behalf of amateur operators, also backed the FCC's proposed changes. “New data transmission techniques using advanced modulation methods already present in the commercial world, when applied to amateur radio, are constrained by these limits and often cannot be implemented in the amateur radio service,” the group said.

CTIA asked the FCC to avoid making decisions that could complicate future licensed use of the 7/8 GHz band, in response to an NPRM on implementing 2015 and 2019 decisions by the World Radiocommunication Conference (see 2311290040). The U.S. “is well positioned to lead the world in licensed use of the 7/8 GHz band and to help define the ecosystems that will develop in this potentially globally harmonized tuning range,” said a Monday filing in docket 23-120. CTIA noted that delegates to WRC-23 decided to study 7/8 GHz for international mobile telecommunications. “Making licensed spectrum available in this band domestically will give the United States an early foothold for influencing the global mid-band IMT market,” CTIA said. In addition, the band is “a critical opportunity for economies of scale with the 6 GHz band, where global counterparts are planning to utilize as much as 700 megahertz in the upper portion of the band for 5G,” the group said: “International efforts to advance the 7/8 GHz band for 5G and beyond are consistent with the Administration’s clear direction” in the national spectrum strategy, “which calls for a whole-of-government effort to fast-track an in-depth study of these frequencies for wireless use.”

Goldman Sachs listed T-Mobile and American Tower in its most recent list of return-on equity (ROE) growth companies. The firm said T-Mobile had an ROE of 37%, American Tower 46%. In Q3, “consumer discretionary ROE posted the greatest increase since 4Q 2022, driven by expanding EBIT margins,” the report said. “Interest expense was a headwind to ROE across every sector as [borrowing] costs rose alongside higher interest rates.”

Aeronet representatives discussed the company’s proposed use of the 70/80 GHz bands to provide “high-speed, ‘in-home’ equivalent broadband experiences to consumers in planes and on ships,” meeting with FCC Wireless Bureau Chief Joel Taubenblatt, according to a filing posted Monday in docket 20-133. “Aeronet also expressed its strong support for the Commission moving forward to adopt this item at the January Open Meeting,” the company said. Aeronet has sought tweaks to a draft order on the spectrum set for a vote Thursday, which have proven controversial (see 2401190040). The discussion focused on maritime operations. “Aeronet emphasized its view that ship-to-aerostat links do not represent an interference risk and noted that the Comsearch study in the record concludes that ship-to-aerostat links ‘would not be harmful,’” the filing said.