Two startup satellite operators expect to light up their “cell tower in space” services within two years. Some see regulatory red flags.
FCC commissioners approved a notice of inquiry 4-0, asking questions about the future of open radio access networks and how they can help make 5G more secure. Officials told us several questions were added, as expected (see 2103160041), including on affordability for low-income and rural consumers and increasing deployments outside the urban core, as suggested by Commissioner Geoffrey Starks. Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel added questions on competition and smaller market players, as suggested in ex parte filings, officials said.
FCC commissioners approved a notice of inquiry 4-0, asking questions about the future of open radio access networks and how they can help make 5G more secure. Officials told us several questions were added, as expected (see 2103160041), including on affordability for low-income and rural consumers and increasing deployments outside the urban core, as suggested by Commissioner Geoffrey Starks. Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel added questions on competition and smaller market players, as suggested in ex parte filings, officials said.
Commissioners approved 4-0 an item that moves the agency closer to a 3.45-3.55 GHz 5G auction starting in early October. A notice proposes a standard FCC auction, similar to the C-band auction, rather than one based on sharing and rules similar to those in the citizens broadband radio service band. The draft public notice got several tweaks, as expected, including offering 10 MHz rather than 20 MHz blocks, but keeps larger partial economic area-sized licenses (see 2103150052). Commissioners Brendan Carr and Nathan Simington concurred on parts of the order because of lingering concerns.
Commissioners approved 4-0 an item that moves the agency closer to a 3.45-3.55 GHz 5G auction starting in early October. A notice proposes a standard FCC auction, similar to the C-band auction, rather than one based on sharing and rules similar to those in the citizens broadband radio service band. The draft public notice got several tweaks, as expected, including offering 10 MHz rather than 20 MHz blocks, but keeps larger partial economic area-sized licenses (see 2103150052). Commissioners Brendan Carr and Nathan Simington concurred on parts of the order because of lingering concerns.
Aides to the other three commissioners have been working with the office of acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel Monday on possible changes to a public notice proposing rules for an October auction in the 3.45 GHz band, said FCC and industry officials. The order is expected to be approved 4-0. It could get a few tweaks from the draft, officials said. They expected discussions to continue Tuesday.
An NPRM on emergency alerting and an order on sharing outage report information with state and local agencies are expected to be approved with few changes at the FCC commissioners' meeting Wednesday, likely unanimously, according to industry officials.
T-Mobile and AT&T countered Dish Network arguments on FCC rule changes for a 3.45 GHz auction (see 2103090034), aligning them more closely with citizens broadband radio service rules. Filings were posted Thursday in docket 19-348. Others also made arguments before Wednesday’s sunshine notice. T-Mobile cited “DISH’s history of enriching itself while delaying the deployment of spectrum and services.” Dish proposes changes “that would limit competition in the auction for that spectrum and … relax the proposed build out requirements in a way that would delay deployment,” T-Mobile said. The proposal “would enable DISH to acquire the spectrum at artificially depressed prices without any legitimate justification or demonstrated ability to put it to prompt use,” AT&T said. AT&T supported Dish arguments in favor of a “coherent spectrum-aggregation policy,” saying “every provider needs nationwide mid-band spectrum in large contiguous blocks to compete effectively.” Dish didn’t comment. OnGo Alliance representatives raised concerns about interference for CBRS band users, in calls with aides to acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Commissioner Nathan Simington. They discussed problems for CBRS environmental sensing capability providers from “uncoordinated” 3.45 GHz operations and the need for “coordination rules,” the group said. ARRL, which represents amateur radio operators, urged the FCC to allow amateurs to continue using 3.3-3.5 GHz, in calls with commissioner aides and staff from the Wireless Bureau, Office of Engineering and Technology and Office of Economics and Analytics. “Amateurs have applied their technical expertise -- much of it acquired through self-training -- to use the bits and pieces of spectrum in the 3400 MHz band that are not used by the primary operators,” the group said. Ericsson urged rethinking the proposed two-step out-of-band emission limit, in calls with Office of Engineering and Technology and Wireless Bureau staff. “It would force the development of unique, U.S.-only products for the 3.45 GHz band, and would preclude use of globally harmonized … base station equipment,” the company said. “Extending elements of the CBRS framework is the best way to make the 3.45-3.55 GHz band available to a wider variety of users and use cases,” the Open Technology Institute at New America told Rosenworcel aides.
“Move quickly” to grant licenses to winning bidders in the C-band auction to allow “rapid deployment” in the band, T-Mobile representatives urged aides to acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. Recognizing a 2.5 GHz auction is “unlikely” before the October 3.45 GHz sale, a filing posted Tuesday in docket 19-348 encouraged "the steps necessary to begin the 2.5 GHz band auction soon after the 3.45 GHz band auction concludes.” Temporary changes to allow E-rate funds for remote learning is a welcome step, but the commission should consider making the changes permanent, T-Mobile said (see 2102180020). The FCC's data collection order also "suffers from fatal flaws" and should be stayed "until the results of the [emergency broadband benefit program] are clear," if not reconsidered or vacated, the company added (see 2102260039).
“Move quickly” to grant licenses to winning bidders in the C-band auction to allow “rapid deployment” in the band, T-Mobile representatives urged aides to acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. Recognizing a 2.5 GHz auction is “unlikely” before the October 3.45 GHz sale, a filing posted Tuesday in docket 19-348 encouraged "the steps necessary to begin the 2.5 GHz band auction soon after the 3.45 GHz band auction concludes.” Temporary changes to allow E-rate funds for remote learning is a welcome step, but the commission should consider making the changes permanent, T-Mobile said (see 2102180020). The FCC's data collection order also "suffers from fatal flaws" and should be stayed "until the results of the [emergency broadband benefit program] are clear," if not reconsidered or vacated, the company added (see 2102260039).