Federated Wireless urged the FCC to consider the success of spectrum sharing in the citizens broadband radio access service and 6 GHz as it moves forward on the 4.9 GHz public safety band. The CBRS spectrum access system (SAS) and 6 GHz automated frequency coordination (AFC) system “enable widespread commercial access to spectrum while protecting existing and evolving incumbent use,” said a filing posted Monday in docket 07-100. As the FCC considers “the requirements and responsibilities” of the 4.9 GHz band manager, it should consider leveraging “proven spectrum management tools and capabilities” such as the SAS and AFC “to ensure efficient and intense utilization of the 4.9 GHz Band in support of public safety missions nationwide,” said Federated, whose representatives met with staff from the Wireless and Public Safety bureaus.
Tesla asked the FCC to act on its request for a waiver of agency rules to allow authorization for an ultra-wideband (UWB) positioning system operating in the 7.5-8.5 GHz frequency range, which would “facilitate wireless charging” of electric vehicles (EVs). The FCC sought comment in February, and Tesla noted that there has been no opposition (see 2502250037). “Grant of the requested waiver is necessary so the UWB sensors can be used to assist in the alignment of the EV with the outdoor pad in order to optimize usage of limited parking space, assist in alignment of the EV with an automated underbody conductive charger, or maximize coupling in applications such as wireless charging of the EV, and thereby provide efficient battery charging,” Tesla said in a filing posted Monday in docket 25-101.
AT&T notified customers that the carrier’s email-to-text and text-to-email services will be phased out June 17. “This means you won’t be able to use email to send or receive texts,” AT&T said. “Others who have AT&T Wireless won’t be able to email to send you a text or use text to send you an email.” An AT&T spokesperson confirmed the change in an email Friday: “This technology has become outdated and contributes to a high volume of unwanted text messages. We believe our customers are better served with more trusted and reliable messaging services."
WISPA urged a few changes to the FCC’s draft 37 GHz item, set for an April 28 commissioner vote. The filing was posted Friday in docket 24-243. WISPA called for more focus on a dynamic spectrum management system for the band. The group also raised questions about power levels as measured in effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP).
Mobile subscriptions worldwide stood at 8.8 billion at the end of 2024, up from 8.7 billion a year earlier, TeleGeography wrote last week. That's a population penetration of 109%. It also said total mobile subscriptions should reach 9.7 billion by the end of 2030, driven by 5G technology adoption. China and India accounted for more than a third of the world's mobile subscriptions, with 1.8 billion and 1.2 billion, respectively, at the end of 2024. Europe had the highest population penetration at year's end at 140%, followed by the U.S. and Canada at 124%, it said. The wireless carriers dominating the U.S. mobile sector -- T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T -- had market shares of 35%, 34% and 27%, respectively.
Lumi United Technology asked the FCC on Friday to approve its requested waiver for an ultra-wideband (UWB) door lock system that would operate in the 6-10 GHz frequency range (see 2502250037). “Three parties filed comments in this proceeding, and all three parties support the waiver,” Lumi said in docket 25-102. “The comments confirm that the Lumi UWB Door Locks will pose no risk of harmful interference and that there are significant public interest benefits to granting the waiver request.”
The Competitive Carriers Association supported petitions for reconsideration of the FCC’s August order launching a 5G Fund filed by the Coalition of Rural Wireless Carriers (CWRC) and the Rural Wireless Association (see 2501140056). CCA agrees that “several aspects” of the order “require prompt reconsideration,” said a filing posted Friday in docket 20-32.
The Wireless Infrastructure Association announced Thursday that Youngstown State University in Ohio is launching a pre-apprenticeship program for broadband industry careers. The program is part of WIA’s Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program. “Pre-apprenticeship programs are a proven way to create accessible career paths within high-demand fields such as the broadband industry,” said Lindsey Ekstrand, the school's director-workforce education.
The Ecommerce Innovation Alliance told the FCC that the issues its members face have gotten worse since it filed a petition in March asking for a declaratory ruling finding that people who provide prior express written consent to receive text messages can't claim damages under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act for messages received outside the hours of 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. (see 2503030036). Comments were due on the petition Thursday, replies April 25.
The Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the U.S. Telecommunications Services Sector notified the FCC on Thursday that T-Mobile and UScellular “provided complete responses” to the committee’s initial questions on T-Mobile’s proposed acquisition of wireless assets from the smaller carrier (see 2405280047). The committee, which is informally known as Team Telecom, “shall complete its initial review of the Applications before the end of the 120-day initial review period, which begins on the date of this letter,” said a filing in docket 24-286. “The Commission will be notified promptly in the event of an extension of the 120-day initial review period or the need arises to conduct a 90-day secondary assessment.”