The U.S. needs a clearer approach to its export control regime and should coordinate more closely with allies to counter China’s technological rise, Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., said, adding that the U.S. needs to better communicate to industry about the risks of doing business with China and its government-sponsored human rights abuses.
Satellite and wireless interests remain at odds over FCC International Bureau guidance for deploying earth stations in bands higher than 24 GHz, in docket 17-172 replies Wednesday. The guidance got satellite opposition and heavy lobbying (see 2008060055). The Satellite Industry Association said there's general agreement the FCC contradicted itself on the definition of roads and on contour guidance: The only voices otherwise "are a small cadre of wireless commenters [using] the Bureau’s inaccurate and unlawful 'guidance' in an effort to impede broadband deployment by competitive satellite operators." Viasat said the guidance's assertion satellite operators have to account for state road determinations when siting earth stations is unlawful and the spectrum frontiers order "left no room for interpretation or need for 'guidance.'” The company said wireless interests "are simply wrong" about Transportation Department regulations, which clearly say it's the federal government, not states, that decides which state roads are treated as highways. Amazon's Kuiper said wireless interests try to brush off the significance of guidance about roadways that earth station contours can't cross, but it's "not a small change" and the approach wireless advocates are backing "would impose a considerable burden that substantially increases the difficulty" for a fixed satellite service trying to find earth station sites. OneWeb backed SIA. Defending the guidance and urging dismissal of SIA's petition, T-Mobile said arguments it goes beyond or contradicts FCC rules ignore the agency's intent and are unreasonable in interpretation of spectrum frontiers decisions. Verizon said no SIA backers identify where the guidance is contrary to rules, instead they focus on not getting more flexibility. Wireless operators have spent billions of dollars on millimeter wave spectrum and satellite operators had the option of buying exclusive use licenses in areas where they planned earth stations, but opted not to bid, it said.
The FCC heard differing advice on rules for the 70/80/90 GHz bands in replies, which were due Friday and posted through Tuesday. Most were consistent with initial comments last month in docket 20-133 (see 2008060036) in response to a June NPRM (see 2008050058). “There is broad consensus for moving quickly to allow lower gain antennas in the 70/80 GHz band,” Nokia said. Adopt “the NPRM’s lead proposal in the 70/80 GHz band to increase the maximum beamwidth 3 dB points from 1.2 degrees to 2.2 degrees and to reduce minimum antenna gain from 43 dBi to 38 dBi,” it said: “This simple rule change will allow needed flexibility to deploy smaller, lighter backhaul antennas to facilitate 5G deployments in urban settings.” Optimize the 70 and 80 GHz bands for wireless backhaul and 5G, T-Mobile said. “The current link registration system has proven to be effective,” the carrier said: “Contrary to the suggestion by the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance, there is no reason to substitute a dynamic spectrum access system.” As the record demonstrates, “the Commission should enhance the rules for the 70/80/90 GHz bands to promote additional wireless backhaul in furtherance of the Commission’s goals of expanding access to broadband and fostering the efficient use of millimeter-wave spectrum,” CTIA said. If the rules are right, the bands will offer the “critical high-speed backhaul needed to address our nation’s burgeoning demand for data in years to come,” the group said. “The record provides strong support for the adoption of updated antenna technical standards that encourage a broader range of fixed wireless uses,” the Wireless ISP Association said. The Dynamic Spectrum Alliance saw broad support for spectrum sharing. “Expeditiously authorize antennas in motion and stratospheric Internet platforms in the 70/80 GHz bands, adopt a comprehensive, technology-neutral link registration framework that accommodates all services in the bands, set a pathway toward dynamic spectrum sharing, and reject requests to delay or to restrict operation of these critical backhaul networks,” DSA said. “Expanding flexible use of the 70/80 GHz bands can benefit consumers by helping to satiate an increased demand for next-generation broadband and fixed wireless services,” Starry said. The company wants an improved link registration system “to ensure the band is put to use and not burdened by abandoned registrations.” The Satellite Industry Association disagreed, noting parts of the spectrum are allocated to fixed satellite service. “Fully consider the impact of any rule changes on FSS,” SIA said. “Address all relevant issues, including the potential impact on satellite services.” The National Radio Astronomy Observatory sought protections for radio astronomy, particularly at 81-86 GHz.
Global July semiconductor revenue increased 4.9% year on year to $35.2 billion, up 2.1% sequentially, reported the Semiconductor Industry Association Thursday. The global industry “has remained largely resistant to global macroeconomic headwinds” -- “but substantial market uncertainty remains for the rest of the year,” said SIA. Sales into the Americas in July rose 26% year on year.
Global July semiconductor revenue increased 4.9% year on year to $35.2 billion, up 2.1% sequentially, reported the Semiconductor Industry Association Thursday. The global industry “has remained largely resistant to global macroeconomic headwinds” -- “but substantial market uncertainty remains for the rest of the year,” said SIA. Sales into the Americas in July rose 26% year on year.
The Commerce Department’s increased restrictions on exports to Huawei (see 2008170029) will cause “significant disruption” to the U.S. semiconductor industry, the Semiconductor Industry association said Aug. 17. Although SIA is “still reviewing the rule,” CEO John Neuffer called the restrictions “broad” and said they significantly expanded on changes made to the foreign direct product rule in May (see 2005150058). “We are surprised and concerned by the administration’s sudden shift from its prior support of a more narrow approach intended to achieve stated national security goals while limiting harm to U.S. companies,” Neuffer said. “We reiterate our view that sales of non-sensitive, commercial products to China drive semiconductor research and innovation here in the U.S., which is critical to America’s economic strength and national security.” Commerce did not comment.
The satellite industry expects at least some changes to the FCC International Bureau earth station siting guidance that's the subject of a reconsideration petition, given the seeming unintended consequences of it, we're told. Since it's about staff guidance and not an order, the outcome isn't exactly clear. The Satellite Industry Association had petitioned for changes.
Earth station collocation limits in the International Bureau's June public notice on upper microwave flexible use service stations need to be brought in compliance with FCC rules, and the staff needs to define "highway" as do spectrum frontiers orders, satellite officials told an aide to Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, per a docket 17-172 posting Tuesday. Industry urged allowing more flexibility in antenna pattern demonstrations, permitting use of clear-sky equivalent isotropic radiated power levels and yanking the requirement to aggregate population values for all licensed communications points. Representatives were with the Satellite Industry Association, Intelsat, SES, EchoStar, SpaceX, Planet, Omnispace, Telesat, Amazon, Boeing, Spire, ViaSat, Inmarsat and Astranis. SIA lobbied others on the eighth floor about its petition for reconsideration (see 2007240072).
June semiconductor sales increased 5.1% from a year earlier to $34.5 billion, but down 0.3% from May, reported the Semiconductor Industry Association Monday. Q2 sales of $103.6 billion were up 5.1% from the 2019 quarter but down 0.9% from Q1, said SIA. “Significant uncertainty remains for the second half of the year due to ongoing macroeconomic headwinds,” said CEO John Neuffer, “Sales into the Americas stood out in June,” rising 29% year over year, he said.
June semiconductor sales increased 5.1% from a year earlier to $34.5 billion, but down 0.3% from May, reported the Semiconductor Industry Association Monday. Q2 sales of $103.6 billion were up 5.1% from the 2019 quarter but down 0.9% from Q1, said SIA. “Significant uncertainty remains for the second half of the year due to ongoing macroeconomic headwinds,” said CEO John Neuffer, “Sales into the Americas stood out in June,” rising 29% year over year, he said.