CTIA told the FCC this week that the results of its recently released annual survey (see 2509080020) demonstrate that wireless voice and broadband service are “broadly available across the U.S.” The survey “aligns with the data” in the FCC’s national broadband map, said a filing posted Wednesday in docket 25-223. “The rigorous Broadband Data Collection reporting parameters and review processes for wireless availability data have improved the accuracy, precision, and consistency of the FCC’s wireless maps, and they are accurate and reliable for policymaking purposes.”
T-Mobile told the FCC on Tuesday that AST SpaceMobile still hasn't fully explained interference issues raised by its proposed supplemental coverage from space (SCS) operations in the 700 and 800 MHz bands (see 2507170030). “AST has failed to demonstrate that its proposed SCS operations will satisfy the Commission’s stated goal to minimize the risk of interference from SCS services to existing terrestrial networks,” said a filing in docket 25-201. AST hasn't filed “vital information” about where its beams will reach and “how those signals will impact existing terrestrial licensees.”
New research by the Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) found that by the end of October, a total of 647 operators in 191 countries were investing in 5G, GSA analyst Joe Gardiner said Tuesday during the group's webinar. Some have launched, while others have purchased spectrum for 5G or otherwise are planning to offer the service, he said. GSA also found that 358 operators in 140 countries have launched or soft launched mobile 5G services, and 175 providers in 78 countries have launched fixed wireless access service that's compliant with the 3rd Generation Partnership Project.
The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials supports the Safer Buildings Coalition’s July petition asking the FCC to launch a rulemaking on guidelines for getting consent from licensees to install signal boosters, said a filing posted Tuesday in docket RM-12009 (see 2511130025). The commission’s current rules for industrial signal boosters were adopted in 2013 and “would benefit from updates to address gaps that have contributed to inconsistent deployments, instances of harmful interference and diminished confidence among licensees,” APCO said.
The FCC Wireless and Space bureaus temporarily paused the pleading cycle on amended spectrum and earth station license assignment applications filed by SpaceX, Spectrum Business Trust and EchoStar following the submission of new filings (see 2511120048). The bureaus “will announce a revised pleading cycle for the transaction by public notice when the amended applications are accepted for filing,” said a notice in Tuesday’s Daily Digest.
Airspan filed a revised application at the FCC for a waiver to offer dual-band radios that operate across citizens broadband radio service and C-band spectrum, similar to a waiver approved for Ericsson. Airspan's petition was posted Monday in docket 25-234. NCTA opposed the company’s earlier pursuit of a waiver (see 2507090012). The FCC “has seen deep interest by wireless providers in deployment of 5G service in both the 3450 MHz and the 3700 MHz bands, and there is an ongoing, recognized and growing need for base station and [distributed antenna system] manufacturers to support operations in these bands cost-effectively,” Airspan said.
Low earth orbit satellite is increasingly a head-to-head competitor for wireless ISPs in rural markets, with SpaceX's Starlink sometimes reaching download speeds faster than WISPs, Ookla said Monday. In Q1 2025, Starlink had median download speeds of 104.71 Mbps, putting it on par with or better than several larger WISPs, Ookla said. Its review of WISPs found that they all improved their median download speeds between Q1 2021 and Q2 2025, though to varying degrees. Starry delivered the highest median download speeds of the WISPs studied, at 202.25 Mbps in Q2 2025. Other WISPs had Q2 median download speeds of up to about 100 Mbps. To keep competing in broadband, WISPs must find ways to secure more spectrum to avoid network congestion and interference, Ookla added.
The Electronic Privacy Information Center recommended in a report released Monday that the acquisition and use of spyware by state government agencies should be banned. Government use of spyware “comes at great cost to privacy, free speech, and free association,” and there’s no way to deploy it “without violating Americans’ First and Fourth Amendment rights,” the report said.
A group of American manufacturing companies and rural broadband providers on Monday announced the launch of the 5G American-Made Coalition to defend the continued use of the citizens broadband radio service band as a shared band. “For the first time in decades, American companies are designing and building 5G equipment here at home, strengthening our supply chains, and further enabling the reindustrialization of our country,” said John Puskar, the coalition's CEO. Among the members listed on its website are Abside Networks, Cambium Networks, Keysight Technologies, Nextlink, Skylark Wireless and Tarana.
AT&T has already deployed 3.45 GHz spectrum that it bought from EchoStar (see 2509090055), adding coverage to nearly 23,000 cellsites in a matter of weeks, the carrier said Monday. For AT&T subscribers, download speeds will jump by up to 80% for mobility customers and as much as 55% for AT&T Internet Air customers, it said. FirstNet customers will also see improved service.