Howard Buskirk

The FCC expanded the focus of its test lab security NPRM to ask additional questions about the supplier’s declaration of conformity (SDoC) process for obtaining equipment authorization. Commissioners approved the NPRM unanimously Thursday as officials discussed this change (see 2405230033). The NPRM was posted Friday. It proposes barring test labs from entities on the agency’s “covered list” of unsecure companies from participating in the equipment authorization process. In addition, it proposes taking other steps to bolster U.S. security. The final version adds a paragraph not included in the draft on SDoC issues that would potentially broaden the reach of revised rules. “Our current rules on authorization of equipment through the SDoC process do not require that any requisite testing of equipment be conducted by an accredited, FCC-recognized test lab,” the NPRM asserts: To “test labs in which entities identified on the Covered List have certain direct or indirect ownership interests or control do not participate in our equipment authorization program, we seek comment on whether the Commission also should require that all equipment authorized pursuant to the SDoC process be tested by accredited and FCC-recognized test labs.” The NPRM explains that the SDoC program is used for equipment that doesn’t have a radio transmitter but includes digital circuitry. It cites as examples computer peripherals, microwave ovens, industrial, scientific and medical equipment, power supply devices, LED light bulbs and TV interface devices. All the commissioners except Nathan Simington produced a written statement attached to the NPRM.

National Cyber Director Harry Coker told the President’s National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee the Biden administration is focusing on cybersecurity in space and strengthening internet routing security. Meeting virtually late Thursday, NSTAC also received an update from cloud-service providers on a pending report about baseline security offerings that was initially expected to be finished this month (see 2312070053).

FCC commissioners approved 5-0 an NPRM Thursday that proposes barring test labs from entities on the agency’s “covered list” of unsecure companies from participating in the equipment authorization process. In addition, the FCC clamped down on political robocall violations. Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, working with Commissioner Brendan Carr, proposed the lab rules (see 2405020071).

T-Mobile views the loss of the affordable connectivity program as a larger concern for cable than for the wireless industry, CEO Mike Sievert said Tuesday during a J.P. Morgan financial conference. “Our operating assumption is that it goes away,” though there could be a “Hail Mary” to restore the program, he said (see 2405210056). “I do not believe [ACP's ending] will result in people disconnecting their mobile service,” Sievert added. He stressed the importance of Congress reauthorizing the FCC’s auction authority, which, like ACP, lawmakers are considering. “Our nation's competitiveness depends upon our networks being the best in the world, and we can't afford to sit and watch while other countries ... deploy spectrum in a smarter way,” he said. T-Mobile has the spectrum it needs short term and has yet to deploy “in a material way” the licenses it bought in the C-band auction, he said. “We have lots of room to run” and “we’re really well positioned.” Sievert said that while T-Mobile is investing in fiber (see 2404250047) the carrier is happy with its current business model and loves being “the nation's leading mostly wireless pure play company.” In addition, Sievert said he’s not worried about a potential downturn in the consumer wireless market. “Doesn't matter whether the market is rapidly growing or not because most of our business comes from share taking,” he said: “If the market is rapidly growing … we'll partake in that. If it's growing more slowly, we won't be harmed.”

Sweden leads the world in alternatives to GPS and other global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) that offer the precise timing services needed for 5G, speakers said Wednesday during a Mobile World Live webinar. Sweden’s approach includes launching the nonprofit-owned Netnod, which the government and operators fund. In the U.S., questions have been raised on Capitol Hill about carrier reliance on GNSS (see 2403120073).

The Utilities Technology Council, Anterix and others that filed reply comments this week told the FCC the record of support is clear for a proposal to launch a rulemaking authorizing 5/5 MHz broadband deployments in the 900 MHz band. As such, the agency should move forward, they said in comments (docket 24-99). Initial comments offered insights about how the band could be used, with some commenters expressing concerns (see 2405030053).

AT&T needs freedom to address its copper network, including parts that are more than 100 years old, but regulation requires that the network keep operating, Chris Sambar, executive vice president-technology operations and head of network, said Tuesday during an AT&T Policy Forum. Sambar said he plans meetings at the FCC this week when he will discuss the cost for AT&T and other carriers of keeping copper lines operating.

Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg offered more clarity Tuesday about the carrier’s view of its spectrum needs. The wireless industry eventually will need more licensed spectrum for the U.S. to remain “competitive” with other markets, particularly Asia, Vestberg said during a J.P. Morgan financial conference. “You need predictability, you need ownership, you need spectrum” to justify investments, he said. Like Sowmyanarayan Sampath, Verizon Consumer Group CEO, who mentioned the issue last week (see 2405140055), Vestberg said the company doesn’t face short-term needs, with an average of 161 MHz of C-band in markets nationwide, about half of which is now in use. “I sit really good on the 161 MHz of C-band that we bought,” he said. On another issue, Vestberg said the end of the affordable connectivity program is bad news. The program “is very important for the U.S. economy,” he added. Verizon has about 1.1 million customers receiving ACP funding, he said. Low-income families “should have a possibility to have broadband wireless,” he said, noting other Verizon programs can serve them. Vestberg also said the wireless industry's importance is “sort of underestimated.” Wireless and broadband “are two of the most essential and critical services for people, for organizations, for companies,” he said. People need broadband to work, for education, to access healthcare and to “have some joy in life,” he said. Vestberg said network slicing will be critical to the launch of private networks. Slicing will allow the setup of a private network “probably 10 times faster than … today, because today I need to break out part of the radio network and part of the core network,” he said: “In the future, I can just do a slice and I can probably do it in hours.”

DOD is starting part of its work on the national spectrum strategy on its own. At a meeting Wednesday, it will launch an initiative investigating dynamic sharing in the lower 3 GHz band, as a continuation of the Partnering to Advance Trusted and Holistic Spectrum Solutions (PATHSS) process. DOD announced the meeting last month (see 2404080063), but it has received relatively little attention. A former NTIA official saw no reason for concern.

Ted Miller, co-founder and former CEO of Crown Castle, sent an open letter to Crown Castle shareholders Friday urging them to elect a revised slate of board members. CEO Jay Brown stepped down in January after Elliott Investment Management called for "significant changes" in Crown Castle's executive and board leadership (see 2311280062). Last month, Crown Castle named Steven Moskowitz, a former American Tower executive, president and CEO (see 2404120051). Now at Boots Capital Management, Miller said hiring Moskowitz wasn’t enough. “The last few weeks have exposed us to the candid feedback and insights of Crown Castle's largest shareholders,” he said: “We heard repeatedly an overwhelming concern and frustration with the Company's performance, slipshod governance, and lack of strategic planning.” Agreeing to sell fiber and naming Moskowitz were “worthy moves,” but shareholders “are telling us they want Boots to help drive the necessary changes by replacing decades-old directors responsible for this quagmire and once again focusing Crown Castle on the operations of its core tower business,” Miller said. Shareholders vote Wednesday. The company urged shareholders to vote for management's nominees. Miller “is attempting to replace four of the Company’s highly qualified nominees with his own nominees, whose skill sets and perspectives are not additive and do not reflect current industry dynamics and the competitive ecosystem,” Crown Castle said in a statement. Boots Capital's nominees are Miller, tower veteran Chuck Green, Tripp Rice and David Wheeler, all of whom have ties to Miller. They would replace broad members Ari Fitzgerald, Cindy Christy, Rob Bartolo and Kevin Kabat.