SpaceX and European mobile network operators are at odds over the out-of-band emissions waiver SpaceX is seeking for its supplemental coverage from space service (see 2408130008). In a letter to the FCC Space Bureau this week, Vodafone, Orange, Liberty Global, Telefonica, PPF, Telenor and United Group said they were "gravely concerned" about proposed lower safeguards protecting terrestrial MNOs from interference. They said the current aggregate out-of-band emission limit "represents the bare minimum level of protection that mobile network operators require from spurious emissions" in low- and mid-band spectrum. That current limit, they added, "should be regarded as a 'best case,'" as terrestrial MNOs could experience amplified interference when multiple competing direct-to-device satellite systems operate, or an individual D2D operator expands the number of satellites in orbit, prompting more coincident interference. In docket 23-135, SpaceX said the MNOs, all investors in rival D2D operator AST SpaceMobile, are on a "scorched-Earth campaign to hamstring" competition. They "provide zero technical support for their opposition" and don't address SpaceX and T-Mobile technical assessments showing adjacent-band terrestrial networks would be protected, SpaceX said. Nor do they provide any technical support for their "specious" best-case claims, it added. If the best-case claims are correct, SpaceX said, AST operations would cause far more interference to users than the protection level being demanded of SpaceX.
Government officials should disclose their schedules except in limited circumstances when doing so might compromise their safety, former FCC Commissioner Mike O’Rielly said Thursday, responding to criticism of FTC Chair Lina Khan. “Why aren't public officials' schedules made publicly available?” he said. “I asked and advocated long ago that they be, especially travel. Except in limited instances of security, make officials post them to the Internet!” FTC spokesman Douglas Farrar on Wednesday defended Khan’s upcoming appearances with Democratic lawmakers. She regularly attends “official events at the request of Members of Congress” and abides by the rules governing her role as chair, he said. House Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., on Wednesday claimed Khan is improperly campaigning on behalf of Vice President Kamala Harris (see 2410020046). Farrar noted Khan in 2024 attended “at least a dozen official events where Members of Congress invited her to listen to their constituents, because every community has a stake in fair competition.” Khan “speaks often about the importance of hearing from Americans across the country, because that’s how to best understand the way markets actually work,” he said.
The FCC Wireless Bureau on Thursday tentatively approved Virginia-based SDF's application to serve as a contraband interdiction system (CIS) operator, helping address contraband phones in correctional facilities. Approval lets SDF “market and sell its CIS as described in its application, and begin phase two testing,” the bureau said. The FCC required two phases of testing in a 2021 order (see 2107130029).
Verizon urged the FCC to move forward on a handset unlocking mandate, the focus of an NPRM commissioners approved 5-0 in July (see 2407180037). Some commenters question whether the FCC has legal authority to impose rules (see 2409240038). A 60-day locking period for postpaid phones “is the minimum necessary to help providers combat handset fraud and theft, but a longer, 180-day locking period for prepaid is necessary to enable wireless providers to continue offering subsidies that make phones affordable for prepaid customers,” Verizon said in a filing this week in docket 24-186. Regardless of the time period commissioners agree to, “a uniform unlocking policy that applies to all providers is paramount; the record is replete with evidence that uniformity will benefit both consumers and competition,” the carrier said. Verizon met with staff from the Wireless Bureau and the Office of Economics and Analytics.
The FCC Wireline Bureau wants comments by Nov. 4, replies by Nov. 18, in docket 23-62 on proposed revisions to its annual reporting and certification requirements for providers of incarcerated people's communications services, per a public notice Thursday.
The FCC rejected Securus' petition seeking a delay in implementation of an order from August on incarcerated people's communication services pending the outcome of the company's challenge before 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals (see 2409050034). “To show likelihood of success on the merits, a petitioner must make a ‘strong showing’ that they are likely to succeed; a ‘mere possibility of relief’ is insufficient,” said an order in Thursday’s Daily Digest. Securus “likewise fails to demonstrate that it would suffer imminent and irreparable harm without a stay,” the FCC said. “Bare allegations of what is likely to occur," the agency said, "are of no value” under legal precedent.
Cellular service in the areas affected by Hurricane Helene improved Wednesday, according to the FCC’s most recent Disaster Information Reporting service update. It showed 11.3% of the cell sites in all the affected counties down, an improvement from the 21.7% reported out of service in Tuesday’s update. The most affected state in the DIRS coverage area is North Carolina, with 38.3% of cell sites without service in its affected counties. There are 654,220 cable and wireline subscribers without service, as compared to 750,761 in the previous update. The DIRS update shows 6 TV stations out of service and 38 radio stations down across the affected areas. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel will visit Asheville and Charlotte, North Carolina, Friday "to gain a firsthand account of communications recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene," said a release Thursday. Rosenworcel is scheduled to meet with FCC Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau staff deployed to North Carolina, visit a federal assistance center and an emergency operations center, and go to a local library that serves as a community Wi-Fi hub, the release said.
The FCC's reclassification of broadband as a Title II telecom service under the Communications Act is a "straightforward" violation of the major-questions doctrine, ISPs told the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in a reply brief filed Wednesday (docket 24-7000). USTelecom, NCTA, CTIA, ACA Connects, the Wireless ISP Association, and several state telecom groups argued the provision of internet access has "always been the core driver of the information-service classification and that function remains unchanged today" (see 2409120032). The FCC "offers little more than its say-so to support its contrary view," the coalition said, adding that its "forced forbearance and strained reclassification of mobile broadband" underscores "how poorly broadband fits into the Title II scheme." The groups argued that the FCC "lacks any good explanation from departing from its prior view" that the costs of reclassification outweigh any benefits and hasn't addressed the major questions doctrine's "obvious political salience." Congress didn't clearly authorize the FCC to classify broadband as a telecom service, the groups noted, adding it should remain a Title I information service because it includes domain name systems and caching, which are "integral information-processing components." The coalition also argued the FCC lacked statutory authority to classify mobile broadband as a commercial mobile service under Title II because it's not part of the public switched network, or the ten-digit telephone network, which is "distinct" from the public internet.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel on Thursday appointed Ira Keltz acting chief engineer, leading the Office of Engineering and Technology. Keltz, an electrical engineer, replaces Ron Repasi, who left the agency last month (see 2409160032). Deputy chief of OET, Keltz has worked on spectrum policy issues at the agency for 30 years, the FCC said. Repasi replaced longtime OET Chief Julius Knapp, initially in an acting capacity, in late 2019.
Fixed wireless access isn’t beating fiber, the Fiber Broadband Association told the FCC in a new filing, responding to a recent CTIA report (see 2409230020). Meanwhile, during a webinar iconectiv released Thursday, speakers said all signs indicate the FWA market is taking off, with continued growth likely.