The Wireless ISP Association welcomed NTIA’s final guidance on the use of BEAD funding for deploying alternative broadband technologies but said work remains (see 2501020038). Released Thursday, the guidance “creates a larger role for cost-effective and efficient technology solutions -- such as unlicensed fixed wireless (uFW) spectrum -- from which states can choose for their BEAD deployments, thereby promoting greater participation and competition, and making finite BEAD dollars go further,” WISPA CEO David Zumwalt said Thursday. But the organization believes “uFW broadband that otherwise meets baseline standards should not remain sidelined from the definition of Reliable Broadband Service."

Federated Wireless representatives offered their take on proposed changes to citizens broadband radio service rules during a meeting with an aide to FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez (see 2408160031). They expressed “support for codification of the processes that are being used to manage CBRS spectrum access, greater harmonization of the CBRS rules with adjacent bands, and strengthening of the rules regarding coexistence management,” said a filing this week in docket 17-258. The changes “will preserve the core principles of spectrum sharing, encourage continued investment, and ensure that CBRS remains a flexible, forward-looking platform for wireless innovation,” Federated said.

The world’s 500 largest cellular IoT deployments account for approximately 632.2 million active connections, ResearchAndMarkets.com reported Thursday. That represents as much as 19.3% of connections at the end of 2023, the report said. The 10 biggest projects account for nearly 210 million units. Transport and logistics are the largest use cases, followed by large deployments by utilities and in the retail, automotive, buildings and security and healthcare spheres. The North American and European markets, at 154.2 million and 153.2 million units, respectively, lead the world. These 500 largest projects are expected to grow to 1.04 billion units by 2028, a compound annual growth rate of 10.7%, the report said.

The International Center for Law & Economics (ICLE) told the FCC that T-Mobile’s proposed buy of “substantially all” of UScellular’s wireless operations, including some of its spectrum (see 2405280047), should have little effect on wireless competition. “UScellular is a struggling regional carrier with significant structural disadvantages compared to national carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile,” said a filing posted Thursday in docket 24-286: “T-Mobile sets its plan prices nationally and does not adjust them based on localized competition, including UScellular’s presence, pricing, or service offerings and quality.” ICLE said given UScellular’s size, “limited footprint, and uncompetitive pricing,” it “plays no role as a ‘maverick’ disrupting the market and is unlikely to do so into the foreseeable future.”

The FCC Enforcement Bureau imposed a $20,000 fine against Root Automation and 4Fast.net for allegedly not filing FCC Form 477 20 times and filing it late once. The FCC uses the form to collect data on broadband deployment and local telephone competition. In response to a 2021 notice of apparent liability, the company “expressed its disagreement ‘with the legal synopsis of why the 477 process exists,’” the bureau said: “The Company asserts that it ‘is not able to submit any FCC 477 information at this point’ because it ‘is unable to satisfactorily trust that the FCC is acting legally.’” The bureau rejected these arguments, noting it “has long recognized that violations of the FCC Form 477 filing requirements are significant because it is a critical fact-gathering instrument that informs the Commission’s efforts to advance broadband availability,” said the order in Tuesday’s Daily Digest.

The Public Safety Spectrum Alliance opposed a motion for partial stay, asking that the FCC delay a requirement that current 4.9 GHz licensees provide it with granular licensing data not later than June 9. The Government Wireless Technology & Communications Association and state groups filed that motion last week (see 2412230048). PSSA, which supports giving the FirstNet Authority effective control of the band, said supporters of a stay haven't met FCC requirements. “Movants have made no serious attempt to demonstrate that irreparable harm will result if the Commission does not grant their requested relief,” said a filing posted Tuesday in docket 07-100. “Incumbent licensees must review operations under their active licenses (radio service code PA)” and use the universal licensing system “to create new licenses (with granular data) in newly-created radio service codes PB (public safety licensees performing base/mobile, mobile-only or temporary fixed operations) and PF (public safety licensees operating fixed links),” the FCC Public Safety Bureau has instructed licensees (see 2412090070). “The Movants have not demonstrated, and cannot demonstrate, that irreparable harm will result from cancellation of the PA licenses,” the PSSA said: “Transitioning from PA licenses to PB/PF licenses merely allows the Commission to collect more granular data about these existing, frozen operations -- it does not have any material impact on the rights of licensees beyond what prior 4.9 GHz-related orders have already effectuated.”

The FCC Enforcement Bureau on Monday imposed a $10,000 fine against Western Iowa Wireless for allegedly failing to file FCC Form 477 16 times and filing the form late five times. The FCC uses the form to collect data on broadband deployment and local telephone competition. The Enforcement Bureau noted that it initially proposed a $10,000 forfeiture in 2021 “consisting of a $3,000 base forfeiture for the one violation that occurred within the one-year statute of limitations and a $7,000 upward adjustment for the company’s history of noncompliance.” The amount “comports” with fines imposed “in substantially similar cases.”

PocketiNet Communications, a small provider in Washington, asked for six months beyond its current Jan. 20 deadline to remove, replace and dispose of unsecure Chinese equipment from its network. “Recent efforts to complete the final removal and replacement of the switches and routers have been impacted by unexpected logistical and operational challenges,” said a filing posted Friday in docket 18-89. One of the company’s distributors “did not provide ‘like-for-like’ replacement equipment for some of our switches, which caused missing expansion cards and delays in site replacements,” PocketiNet said: “The additional six months will allow us to complete the router and switch replacement and finalize the disposal of all covered equipment while maintaining network reliability for our customers.”

The FCC approved additional and modified environmental sensing capability sensor deployment and coverage plans for the citizens broadband service band for Federated Wireless in Hawaii, said a notice in Thursday’s Daily Digest. The sensors protect DOD installations from harmful interference. The FCC took the step “in close consultation” with NTIA and DOD, the notice said. The plans cover three dynamic protection areas in the state.

Comments are due Feb. 10 about the potential impact of L-band operations at 1610-1660.5 MHz on the GPS L1 signal at 1575.42 MHz, said a notice for Friday's Federal Register. NTIA is examining interference risks posed by increased deployment of mobile devices capable of operating in the L band and ways of protecting GPS while allowing direct-to-device services (see 2412200060). Comments should be submitted to Regulations.gov docket NTIA-2024-0005.