CBRS

The FCC doesn’t “really believe” public safety agencies will ever leave the 470-512 MHz T band, despite the 2012 Spectrum Act's mandate, Enterprise Wireless Alliance Regulatory Counsel Elizabeth Sachs told the EWA’s virtual wireless leadership summit Wednesday. Congress “adopted legislation without really understanding what it meant or who was involved or what the impact would be,” said Sachs, of Lukas LaFuria.

Sony, a spectrum access system operator in the citizens broadband radio service band, asked the FCC to approve it as an environmental sensing capability provider, in a Wednesday posting in docket 15-319. Parts were redacted.

FCC Chief of Staff Matthew Berry and a top CTIA official downplayed reports the Trump administration is pushing the Pentagon to move forward on developing a national 5G network. The wireless industry sent a letter to President Donald Trump Tuesday opposing efforts to nationalize 5G network infrastructure. Berry and Scott Bergmann, CTIA senior vice president-regulatory affairs, spoke Monday at the Americas Spectrum Management Conference. DOD isn’t planning to launch a competitive 5G network, Fred Moorefield, deputy chief information officer-command, control and communications, said at an FCBA virtual conference Tuesday. Moorefield said he had seen the reports on the White House push but couldn't confirm them.

The FCC made major changes to its draft 4.9 GHz order after it was circulated by Chairman Ajit Pai, based on our comparison. Commissioners last week approved the order on a party-line vote (see 2009300050). It now includes a section blocking states that divert 911 funds from participating. The FCC will make the cut, initially, based on the 2019 fee diversion report. Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and West Virginia are initially ineligible. A comparison of the draft and final order and Further NPRM on 5G in 3.45-3.55 GHz also found changes.

Commissioners approved a Further NPRM Wednesday 5-0 on clearing the 3.45-3.55 GHz band, after changes were made at the urging of FCC Democrats asking whether the type of sharing used in the citizens broadband radio service band would work there. Commissioner Mike O’Rielly, who said during discussion on the item that he's leaving the FCC by year-end (see 2009300014), had pushed for the agency to take on the band. Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said the U.S. remains behind on 5G. Chairman Ajit Pai predicted an auction next year.

Add to the 3.45-3.55 GHz NPRM questions on whether sharing similar to that in the citizens broadband radio service band would work there, the Open Technology Institute at New America urged an aide to FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks. “The NPRM should at a minimum solicit comment on important elements of the CBRS framework that could enhance more intense, efficient and diverse use,” said a filing posted Wednesday in docket 19-348: “Regardless of the Commission’s tentative proposals, the record should reflect a robust consideration of options including smaller licensing areas (e.g., counties), authorizing opportunistic use of spectrum in areas where licensees are not providing service, and harmonizing the technical rules with CBRS in general.” Commissioners vote Wednesday (see 2009210056).

Fred Moorefield, deputy chief information officer for command, control and communications, defended DOD’s recent request for information on spectrum sharing, which industry and FCC officials say raised questions as the commission moves toward a vote on the 3.45-3.55 GHz band. Moorefield spoke at NTIA’s virtual spectrum policy symposium. At a similar summit a year ago, officials promised the administration would soon release a national spectrum policy; it hasn't been unveiled.

Verizon appears to be girding for a fight with T-Mobile over whether its spectrum holdings should preclude the “uncarrier” from bidding in the C-band auction, which starts Dec. 8, industry officials said. Verizon would flip the script on T-Mobile, which lobbied against Verizon and AT&T holdings seeking preferential treatment for competitors in the TV incentive auction (see 1408130047).

Communications is playing a bigger role for electric utilities as they move to a smarter grid, Vivian Bouet, chief information officer at San Antonio’s CPS Energy, told the Utilities Technology Council virtual conference on its final day Thursday. UTC also took a deep dive in a panel on a project by Central Virginia Electric Cooperative (CVEC) to bring fiber service to its customers.

The results of the FCC citizens broadband radio service auction announced Wednesday 2009020029) were largely as expected, with Verizon and major cable operators dominating (see 2007200049). Dish Network also came in big, which was more of a surprise (see 2008260055). Southern California Edison also gobbled up priority access licenses (PALs).