The FCC released a draft Further NPRM on the long-awaited 5G Fund Thursday, with commissioners scheduled to vote Sept. 21 (see 2308300062). Also on the agenda is a Space Bureau “transparency initiative,” with the bureau giving more guidance at initial application stages. Per the draft order and accompanying Further NPRM, the streamlining proposal is to be the first in a series of intended improvements to the Space Bureau. Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel also is seeking a vote on an additional action targeting VoIP robocalls.
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The wireless industry asked the FCC to go slow on major changes to wireless emergency alerts, in reply comments posted Tuesday in docket 15-91. Commenters also raised privacy concerns. A Further NPRM, approved by commissioners 4-0 in April, proposed to require participating providers to ensure mobile devices can translate alerts into the 13 most commonly spoken languages in the U.S. aside from English, to send thumbnail-sized images in WEA messages, and other changes (see 2304200040).
Carriers welcome the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s plans for an Oct. 4 test of the wireless emergency alert system, with a nationwide emergency alert system test the same day. The FCC is examining possible changes to WEA, including requiring participating providers to ensure mobile devices can translate alerts into the 13 most commonly spoken languages in the U.S. aside from English, and to send thumbnail-sized images in WEA messages. Industry said some of the changes would be difficult to quickly implement (see 2307240045). Replies are due Monday in docket 15-91.
AT&T has access to all the C-band spectrum it bought in a 2021 auction, it said in an emailed statement Wednesday. The company, unlike Verizon (see 2308140051), didn’t post a public news release making the announcement. “With satellite companies finished clearing the remaining C-Band spectrum months ahead of the December 2023 deadline, we got early access to our full C-Band spectrum holdings -- doubling our available C-Band spectrum for deployment,” AT&T said: “We’ve since re-tuned our previously deployed C-Band in the original 46 locations … resulting in notable capacity and speed gains, and ultimately an enhanced customer experience with fast, reliable and consistent performance.” AT&T noted it’s deploying C band in combination with 3.45 GHz. “In the coming months, markets like Denver and Atlanta will see performance improvements as we continue expanding the deployment of our entire licensed C-Band spectrum -- an average of 80 MHz or more by market,” AT&T said. “Because our deployed cell site equipment, such as radios, are capable of handling the full bandwidth spectrum load, once a software update is completed, customers will immediately experience a dramatic increase in bandwidth,” the carrier said. AT&T said it has a minimum of 100 MHz of total mid-band spectrum throughout the contiguous U.S. and an average of 120 MHz nationwide. Verizon dominated the C-band auction, bidding $45.4 billion, almost twice the $23.4 billion bid by AT&T (see 2102250046).
Sennheiser urged the FCC to adopt final rules in its wireless multichannel audio system proceeding, in a meeting with Office of Engineering and Technology and Wireless Bureau staff (see 2104220056). Sennheiser “filed its original Petition for Rulemaking for WMAS technology in 2018 solely to lift the wireless microphone bandwidth limit, and the Commission’s WMAS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking has been pending since April 2021,” said a filing posted Tuesday in docket 21-115: “Continuing to delay this proceeding runs the risk that the United States will have to play catch up with the rest of the world, rather than leading the charge on this revolutionary technology.”
Verizon said Monday it now has access to all the C-band spectrum it bought in a 2021 auction, four months earlier than expected. “Early access to the remainder of the C-band spectrum puts us another four months ahead of schedule from our original projections,” said Joe Russo, president-global networks and technology: “This additional spectrum will make 5G Ultra Wideband available to even more Americans, and will open up more availability of our home and business broadband solutions.” Verizon said the spectrum already covers 222 million people in 359 markets. Verizon can now deploy a minimum 140 MHz in the contiguous U.S. with an average of 161 MHz. The latest development gives the carrier access to up to 200 MHz in 158 “mostly rural markets covering nearly 40 million people,” Verizon said. Verizon will likely push fixed wireless broadband “more aggressively with the increase in capacity,” New Street’s Jonathan Chaplin told investors: “This will boost Verizon’s FWB adds and potentially weigh on Cable broadband adds in 2H23. Verizon’s early access to C-Band will also help their competitive position in mobile in 2H23.” Intelsat, meanwhile, said Monday, it expects to receive nearly $3.7 billion Q4 after completing its C-band frequency clearing. “We reached this milestone well ahead of expectations, and I’m exceptionally proud of the Intelsat team and the hard work that led to this remarkable achievement,” said CEO Dave Wajsgras.
Industry groups disagreed on an FCC NPRM proposing to expand certain robocall rules to all voice service providers, in comments posted Thursday in docket 17-97. Commissioners adopted the item in May (see 2305180036). Some urged caution and asked the FCC to grant flexibility if it mandates any additional call blocking rules.
DENVER -- More companies will likely join Nokia onshoring equipment for high-speed internet infrastructure, broadband officials predicted Wednesday at Mountain Connect here. In an interview, Fiber Broadband Association CEO Gary Bolton said NTIA’s broadband equity, access and deployment (BEAD) program is the best internet infrastructure program he has ever seen, though challenges ahead include workforce shortages and possible permitting delays.
NTCA and the Rural Wireless Association warned of looming costs for smaller carriers if the FCC approves rules to facilitate a move to next-generation 911, in comments on a June NPRM (see 2306080043). The FCC’s proposed approach got general support from the National Association of State 911 Administrators, the National Emergency Number Association and other public safety commenters (see 2308090036), but industry is raising concerns. Comments were due at the FCC Wednesday in docket 21-479 and were still being posted Thursday.
The National Association of State 911 Administrators warned the FCC that moving to next-generation 911 will be complicated, in comments on an NPRM commissioners approved 4-0 in June (see 2306080043). The National Emergency Number Association said the FCC is on the right track with the NPRM. Comments were due at the FCC Wednesday in docket 21-479. The notice followed a NASNA petition seeking a rulemaking or notice of inquiry to fully implement NG911 (see 2110190066 and 2201200043).