Eager to win FCC approval of its proposed buy of Mint Mobile (see 2303150032), a low-cost prepaid wireless brand, and other assets from Ka’ena, T-Mobile told the FCC it would agree to a handset unlocking requirement. Public and consumer interest groups have asked the FCC to push for that concession (see 2402060025). “Within 60 days of the closing of the transaction, T-Mobile commits to implement an unlocking policy applicable to all Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile devices activated on the T-Mobile network both pre- and post-closing,” said a filing posted Wednesday in docket 23-171. T-Mobile said it views the concession as unnecessary but wants to ensure prompt FCC approval. The company "believes that the public interest benefits of its proposed acquisition of the Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile wireless brands and their customers are clear and compelling and that no credible competitive concerns have been raised with respect to the proposed transaction,” the filing said. T-Mobile reports quarterly earnings after the close of the financial markets Thursday. “It is good to see progress on the issue, though the voluntary commitments do not quite match what we asked for in the record,” emailed PK Legal Director John Bergmayer. “There are some timing differences,” but the biggest difference is T-Mobile is committing to unlocking Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile devices, “as opposed to all devices on the T-Mobile network,” he said: “It’s not just Mint customers that would benefit from unlocking, and having a uniform policy would probably be simpler.” It’s “in the public interest to unlock all new devices on T-Mobile’s network, not only the acquired Mint Mobile customers,” said Michael Calabrese, director of the Wireless Future Program at New America: “A uniform policy for all T-Mobile customers would also bring the U.S. closer to the sort of industry-wide unlocking policy that is already required by the regulators in Canada” and the U.K.

T-Mobile on Tuesday unveiled two fixed wireless access offerings, Home Internet Plus and an Away plan for frequent travelers. The Plus plan includes T-Mobile’s latest 5G gateway, a Wi-Fi mesh access point and unlimited tech support. The price is $70/month with AutoPay, or $50/month with AutoPay and a premium voice line. The Away plan targets “frequent travelers like RVers, campers and digital nomads,” and offers 200 GBs of data for $110/month with AutoPay, unlimited data for $160/month. The announcement comes days before T-Mobile reports quarterly results on Thursday. “Whether it’s expanding your home Wi-Fi signal to cover more spaces and connected devices, or taking the internet with you on the road, T-Mobile has the internet options that fit your needs -- and it’s all backed by the nation’s leading 5G network,” said Allan Samson, chief broadband officer.

The Open Technology Institute at New America refuted arguments that CTIA made last week about the treatment of 5G slicing under draft FCC net neutrality rules (see 2404170032). CTIA claims the group wants to limit slicing, OTI said in a filing posted Tuesday in docket 23-320. “We strongly support innovative data services made possible by 5G mobile network slicing techniques” and “application-level services for enterprise use could be presumptively considered to be” non-broadband internet access service, the group said: “However, we do seek clarification that with respect to consumer-facing (retail) services offered to BIAS customers, mobile BIAS providers must not be allowed to evade the open internet rules by using network ‘slicing’ to engage in application-specific or content-specific discrimination.” OTI notes it’s seeking an addition to the language in the rules clarifying when the FCC is “likely to find” that an offering violates the rules.

The FCC wants comments by May 23, replies by June 24, in docket 22-238 on a Further NPRM concerning steps the commission can take under the Safe Connections Act that will help survivors of domestic violence access safe, affordable connected car services, said a notice in Tuesday's Federal Register. Commissioners approved the item earlier this month (see 2404080072).

Barbara van Schewick, director of Stanford University’s Center for Internet and Society, met with aides to the FCC’s Democratic commissioners to counter CTIA arguments about the treatment of 5G slicing under draft net neutrality rules (see 2404170032), said a filing posted Monday in docket 23-320. “In recent filings, CTIA suggests that language [suggesting] that alleged non-BIAS data services that offer quality of service to applications, content, and services whose quality of service requirements can be met over [broadband internet access service] consistent with open internet protections would likely be found to evade the Open Internet protections is ‘a dramatic shift from the 2015 framework,’” van Schewick said: “I disagree with that characterization. As the draft order recognizes, the 2015 Order clearly stated multiple times that it would ‘take appropriate enforcement action’ if an alleged non-BIAS data service was found to evade the Open Internet protections.” She noted that her name was spelled “Shewick” several times in the draft and asked that it be corrected.

The American Library Association requested flexibility from the FCC in response to a November proposal allowing schools and libraries to use E-rate support for off-premises Wi-Fi hot spots and wireless internet services (see 2311090028). ALA representatives met with an aide to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, according to a filing posted Friday in docket 21-31. “ALA recommended the Commission adopt straightforward rules that do not require libraries to develop hotspot-specific policies or procedures but allow them to incorporate new or additional Wi-Fi hotspots into existing practices,” ALA said: “Flexibility for libraries to design and implement their own program based on their communities’ needs will be instrumental to success in each context. … Reducing recordkeeping burdens and creating more flexibility around data retention policies would be beneficial to libraries and therefore to the success of the program overall.”

Companies offering automated frequency coordination systems in the 6 GHz band told the FCC they have launched a portal for reporting interference. The companies said the portal should satisfy a requirement that the Office of Engineering and Technology imposed. “We have committed significant effort and resources to develop an efficient, centralized means for authorized 6 GHz incumbents to report potential harmful-interference events,” said a filing posted Friday in docket 21-352. “All information submitted through the Portal is automatically shared with the approved 6 GHz AFC system operators” and the FCC, including the Enforcement Bureau, the filling said. Broadcom, Comsearch, Federated Wireless, Qualcomm, Sony Group, Wi-Fi Alliance Services and the Wireless Broadband Alliance signed it.

CTIA President Meredith Baker and other representatives from the group met with Commissioners Brendan Carr and Nathan Simington on concerns about proposed net neutrality rules. Earlier, CTIA representatives met with staff for all five commissioners (see 2404170032). “The hallmark of today’s thriving, robust, and open Internet is providing consumers with access to the content, apps, and services they want,” a filing posted Friday in docket 23-320 said. “If the Commission nevertheless goes down the road of re-imposing Title II and open Internet rules, it should go no further than the 2015 framework and refrain from new rules or guidance that would hamper innovation that drives the Internet ecosystem or limit consumers’ access to competitive wireless offerings,” CTIA said.

T-Mobile and Lycamobile USA exchanged shots in the docket concerning T-Mobile’s proposed buy of Mint Mobile (see 2303150032), a low-cost prepaid wireless brand, and other assets from Ka’ena. Lyca described itself as a mobile virtual network operator with a small footprint in the U.S. “Lyca has struggled over the past several years to obtain basic functionalities from T-Mobile, such as eSIM and access to T-Mobile’s 5G standalone architecture, and to get T-Mobile to fairly observe the terms of its MVNO agreement,” said a filing in docket 23-171: “Lyca is concerned that T-Mobile has been advantaging Ultra and Mint because of their intended acquisition of the companies while systematically disadvantaging Lyca, a close independent competitor.” T-Mobile responded in a filing posted Thursday. “Lyca’s Pleading is entirely without merit and improperly seeks to interject an irrelevant private contractual dispute … into the Commission’s public interest review of the Transaction,” T-Mobile said. More than a year ago, T-Mobile filed a complaint seeking recovery of payment from Lyca for services the carrier provided under a wholesale services agreement, the filing said.

The wireless industry has enthusiastically worked with the FCC and others on all stages of 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline implementation, and anticipates continuing to coordinate with stakeholders regarding georouting of 988 calls, CTIA representatives said. In meetings with aides to the five commissioners, recapped Thursday in docket 18-336, CTIA said along with coordination, it wants to ensure "flexibility and sufficient implementation time for the diverse range of wireless providers."