CTIA representatives supported an NPRM on an upper C-band auction, which was proposed for the Nov. 20 FCC meeting (see 2510290047), in discussions with aides to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and Commissioner Olivia Trusty. Other groups have raised concerns.
A survey commissioned by the Public Safety Broadband Technology Association found widespread support for FirstNet and reauthorizing the FirstNet Authority. The group noted that the FirstNet Authority will sunset at the end of 2027 without action by Congress. The survey, released Monday, found 96% awareness of FirstNet, 94% approval of AT&T’s performance as its operational partner, and 86% support for Congress permanently authorizing the network. “This research makes clear what first responders already know -- FirstNet works,” said Richard Carrizzo, the president of the association. “Congress must act to keep it running.” The survey was based on responses from about 500 first responders nationwide.
Ookla announced Monday the launch of Speedtest Pulse, a solution that offers smartphone-based “validation and troubleshooting” for Wi-Fi networks. Wi-Fi has become “the primary lens” through which consumers judge their ISP, the company noted. “With the explosion of connected devices and the rise of complex Wi-Fi only networks, ensuring a high-quality, consistent experience has become a major operational challenge, especially for large enterprises managing hundreds of sites.”
CNN is working with T-Mobile to provide coverage through a new service called SuperMobile, which offers heightened security and satellite coverage, the carrier said Monday. “Audiences will soon see SuperMobile in action as CNN journalists go live from the field during breaking news moments,” T-Mobile said. The development is part of a wider digital transformation at CNN.
The Wireless Infrastructure Association urged the National Park Service last week to adopt a siting framework to encourage adoption of “responsible and sustainable wireless communications on the National Mall and surrounding area” while addressing “persistent service issues.” The NPS sought comments before the federal shutdown about its plan for the National Mall; they were due Thursday.
Attorneys general from 18 states and the city of New York called on the FCC in a letter Friday to send already-approved rules for multilingual wireless emergency alerts to the Federal Register. The rules were issued in January by the Public Safety Bureau under the previous administration but haven’t been implemented in the intervening 10 months because they haven’t yet been published.
T-Mobile Text to 911 via satellite is free for anyone with a compatible phone, including Verizon and AT&T customers (see 2511050024).
A panel of the Better Business Bureau’s National Advertising Review Board recommended Thursday that AT&T change its advertising “to avoid conveying a false message regarding eligibility for an iPhone device offer.” The bureau’s National Advertising Division previously said AT&T should modify a claim that “everyone” can get an “iPhone 16 Pro on us” because the offer applies to specific plans only. Verizon brought the challenge.
T-Mobile is now making 911 access available “to as many people as possible” through T-Satellite and the capacity to send emergency texts, the company said Wednesday. That means service in the 500,000 square miles of the U.S. not covered by traditional cell towers, it noted. T-Mobile Text to 911 is available free as a stand-alone option for anyone with a compatible device, including Verizon and AT&T customers.
The Telecom Infra Project (TIP) announced Wednesday the launch of a project group focused on enhancing the quality of experience (QoE) for streamed and live video applications over wireless broadband networks. The group will look at how to identify an “industry-adoptable common set of QoE metrics for video delivery as well as recommendations and best practices to make these metrics accessible” between communication service providers and content application providers, TIP said. It will examine mechanisms for exchanging information between the two sectors “to enable application-level self-regulated video delivery based on network conditions or subscription policies.” Among the companies engaged in the effort are AT&T, Meta, Orange, Telefonica, Vodafone and YouTube, TIP added.