SpaceX submitted further technical analysis aimed at showing its proposed supplemental coverage from space service with T-Mobile won't cause harmful interference. The eight pages of analysis submitted Friday in FCC docket 23-135 are a continuation of its battle with Omnispace over whether SpaceX's original technical submission was sufficient (see 2311200029, 2311270042).

5G mobile subscriptions are expected to reach 1.6 billion by the end of 2023 and exceed 5.3 billion in 2029, Ericsson said Thursday as it released its much-watched mobility report. In Q3, providers added 163 million 5G subscriptions worldwide. The North American region is expected to have the highest 5G penetration rate by year's end at 61%, more than double that in Europe. About 85% of the world’s population is expected to have access to 5G by the end of 2029, the report found. Ericsson also projected cellular IoT connections will reach 3 billion in 2023. In addition, data use is soaring. Mobile network data increased 33% in a year through Q3 and the average smartphone is expected to use 56 GB of data per month at the end of 2029, Ericsson said. “The ongoing surge in data traffic remains a strong driver of demand for mobile networks,” the report said: “Most traffic is generated indoors, where people typically spend the majority of their time. There is, however, a growing need to extend 5G mid-band coverage indoors to ensure a comprehensive 5G experience.” Carriers continue to deploy 5G “despite a weaker global economy and geopolitical uncertainties,” Ericsson found. Globally, about 280 providers have launched commercial 5G services, with more than 40 deploying a 5G stand-alone network. 5G stand-alone “is becoming well established,” which “enables new capabilities such as 5G native voice … and new services like network slicing and user equipment route selection policy,” the report said.

The FCC is posting “plain-language summaries” of NPRMs, Further NPRMs and public notices beginning with more than 20 that were published in the Federal Register since July 25, said a Tuesday notice from the Office of General Counsel. “The summaries provide an interested non-specialist with a brief overview of the FCC’s proposed rules to facilitate public engagement with the rulemaking, consistent with the Providing Accountability Through Transparency Act of 2023,” the notice said.

Liberty Media's president-CEO is Greg Maffei (see 2311160076).

The FCC released the third iteration of its national broadband map Friday, showing nearly 1 million additional homes and businesses having access to high-speed internet access since the last iteration. Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in an FCC note that with "each refresh of the map we are more confident in the accuracy of the data." The map included an additional 800,000 broadband serviceable locations and "any changes in the number of locations will overwhelmingly reflect on-the-ground changes such as the construction of new housing," Rosenworcel said. About 4.8 million challenges to provider-reported availability were made to date, with more than 1.5 million location challenges accepted. "We’ve also seen hundreds of corrections to provider reported data based on FCC-initiated verification efforts," Rosenworcel noted.

The FCC’s notice of inquiry asking how AI can fight robocalls, as well as potential risks from the technology, saw a few changes over the draft (see 2311150042). The FCC approved the NOI 5-0 Wednesday and released the final version Thursday. Comments are due Dec. 18, replies Jan. 16. Among the changes, the NOI now mentions the administration’s AI executive order (see 2310300056), released after the draft circulated. The FCC added a series of questions in a new paragraph. “What other steps can we take to identify the root causes of AI-driven robocall or robotext scams?” the NOI now asks: “Should we solicit information from industry regarding the type of AI technologies used in particular scams, either on a regular basis or in connection with investigations? Should we inquire as to whether the AI technology used was developed for general legal uses, and misused, or whether it was purpose-built for unlawful applications? If the AI technology was developed for general use, were there safeguards in place to ensure it was not misused? If so, how were they disabled?” The NOI also now asks, “How best can we share the information that we gather about fraudulent uses of AI within our purview with our sister agencies, who are charged with addressing malicious uses of AI in other contexts?” Commissioner Geoffrey Starks indicated Wednesday he asked for those changes. The NOI includes statements from Starks and Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.

Jared Carlson, Nese Guendelsberger and Thomas Sullivan were named deputy chiefs of the FCC Office of International Affairs, with Michele Wu-Bailey as assistant chief and chief of staff, OIA said Wednesday. Formed in the reorganization of the International Bureau into the Space Bureau and Office of International Affairs, OIA is headed by Ethan Lucarelli (see 2304110002).

Cable interests urged an ongoing pipeline of unlicensed and shared-licensed spectrum and a maximization of already in-use bands during a meeting with aides to FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, said a filing Wednesday in docket 18-295. They also pushed for easier relocation and change of incumbent federal or commercial services. Meeting with Gomez's aides were representatives of Comcast, Charter, Cox Enterprises, CableLabs and NCTA.

Residential phone service costs in the U.S. in October rose 5.5% year over year, as were cable, satellite and livestreaming TV service costs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index unadjusted data released Tuesday. Wireless phone service costs were down 0.4% year over year, but internet service was up 4.4%. Smartphone prices dropped 12%, and computers, peripherals and smart home assistants fell 5.7%. Video purchase/subscription/rental was up 3.1%. BLS said September prices overall were up 3.2% year over year before seasonal adjustment.

FCC Administrative Law Judge Jane Hinckley Halprin scheduled a Dec. 5 status conference on Mongoose Works' petition for de novo review of a Wireless Bureau order upholding the C-Band Clearinghouse's reduction of Mongoose’s C-band relocation lump sum claim (see 2309180019), according to an initial order Tuesday in docket 21-333.