Utility concerns about unlicensed operations in the 6 GHz band (see 2001140057) are predicated on incorrect assumptions and errors, CableLabs responded. Antenna gain to number of access points, when corrected, shows that low-power indoor Wi-Fi, operating without automated frequency coordination, is no interference risk to fixed service in the band, said the docket 18-295 posting Tuesday. The R&D group and the cable industry back FCC-unlicensed operations (see 2002030049). The utility interests didn't comment.
The FCC certified the first four spectrum access system administrators for full-scale commercial launch of unlicensed use of the citizens broadband radio service band. The four are CommScope, Federated Wireless, Google and Sony. The development was expected as a critical next step for the band (see 1912260040). The four, plus Amdocs, were cleared last year to start initial commercial deployment in the 3.5 GHz spectrum. “The FCC has made it a priority to free up mid-band spectrum for advanced wireless services like 5G” and this is “the latest step to achieve that priority,” said Chairman Ajit Pai. Priority access licensees and general authorized access (GAA) users will share the band, with the administrators managing use of the band. Its first commercial use is in the GAA tier, with the FCC auction of PALs to start June 25. The Wireless Bureau and Office of Engineering and Technology issued the approvals Monday. “With more than 25 customers offering commercial services and another 50 in development, Federated Wireless is extremely pleased with the momentum the market has achieved since[initial launch] in September, and we are eager to continue driving the next wave of services including private 5G,” said Federated Wireless CEO Iyad Tarazi: “2020 will be an extremely active year for all of us who have worked so hard to bring the promise of CBRS to reality, and we are fully committed to working closely with all of the customer segments that stand to benefit from the new business and service models being developed and deployed today.” After years of work, "full commercial deployment of CBRS shared spectrum is a real thing, not a dream,” emailed Louis Peraertz, Wireless ISP Association vice president-policy: “If it works in this complex band, other forms of sharing -- such as in the C-Band, 5.9 GHz and 6 GHz bands -- can and should go forward. We cannot wait to see what it will do for the band and for other spectrum.” Full commercial deployment “is the final stage in the commercialization process that started in 2013 when the FCC began pursuing an innovative shared spectrum model in the 3.5 GHz band,” the CBRS Alliance said: “The success of this initiative is the result of unprecedented public-private partnerships between industry and government organizations.”
The Wi-Fi Alliance met an aide to Chairman Ajit Pai and Office of Engineering and Technology staff on the importance of the 6 GHz band. "The Wi-Fi ecosystem is ready to support the growing demand for wireless connectivity and new applications, but lacks the necessary spectrum capacity,” the alliance said in docket 18-295, posted Tuesday. Also that day, Commissioner Mike O'Rielly said such an FCC item may be forthcoming soon (see 2001210028).
Tech companies urged the FCC to let Wi-Fi share the 6 GHz band. Cisco, Google, HP Enterprise, Microsoft and Qualcomm representatives met aides to Commissioners Brendan Carr and Geoffrey Starks, said a filing posted Friday in docket 18-295. "Quickly resolve any outstanding issues in a manner consistent with our previous advocacy and" issue an order "for unlicensed use throughout the band,” they asked. Meanwhile, in meetings with aides to Carr and Starks, iRobot said a proposal to “introduce Wi-Fi in the 6 GHz band at the power levels being discussed in this proceeding would render ultra-wide band devices inoperable due to the interference that would be caused,” the company said: The 2 billion UWB devices in use are "estimated to increase to 3.1 billion by 2025.”
As the U.S. explores allowing unlicensed devices to share the 6 GHz band, the U.K.’s Ofcom Friday sought comment by March 20 on 6 GHz issues. Ofcom proposes to “make the lower 6 GHz band (5925-6425 MHz) available for Wi-Fi. The release of this spectrum would enable also very low power outdoor use. This would improve performance by reducing congestion in existing bands caused by large numbers of devices and enable the development of new, higher bandwidth applications.” Ofcom also proposed removing dynamic frequency selection requirements from Wi-Fi channels in the 5.8 GHz band. “Ofcom’s announcement confirms that regulators around the world are focused on delivering Wi-Fi spectrum capacity in the 6 GHz band, which is urgently needed to support the growing demand for wireless connectivity,” said Alex Roytblat, Wi-Fi Alliance senior director-regulatory affairs.
Microsoft representatives updated FCC Commissioners Brendan Carr and Jessica Rosenworcel on the company’s Rural Airband Initiative and “discussed how White Spaces technologies provide broadband access to underserved and rural Americans,” said a filing posted Tuesday in docket 18-295. The company sought action on its May request for a Further NPRM on the TV white spaces (see 1905030050). “We noted that adopting the proposals in the petition would expand rural broadband access, facilitate connected school buses and agricultural vehicles, advance the internet of things including precision agriculture, and support other connectivity solutions,” Microsoft said.
The FCC sought comment Friday on a waiver request by Rohde & Schwarz USA for a security scanning system that uses the 70-80 GHz band. The Office of Engineering and Technology noted the request replaces an earlier filing that asked for waiver of a different rule part, on which the office already took comment (see 1903280023). The QPS201 is “designed to detect the presence of concealed metallic and non-metallic threats that may be carried in or underneath the clothing,” OET said. Comments are due Jan. 21 in docket 19-88, replies Feb. 5.
IRobot CEO Colin Angle sought a compromise on sharing the 6 GHz band with unlicensed devices, in meetings with FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, said a filing posted Monday in docket 18-295. It's expected to be a big FCC focus in coming months (see 1912130061). “A workable remedy would be to split the band and provide a safe haven for utilities and others, including [ultra-wideband] to operate on 500 MHz of spectrum, leaving 700 MHz to Wi-Fi,” Angle said.
Deregulation supporters backed FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's move to reallocate most of the 5.9 GHz band away from dedicated short-range communications for Wi-Fi and other unlicensed use. In a docket 19-138 posting Wednesday, 21 signers including Americans for Tax Reform, American Legislative Exchange Council, National Taxpayers Union, TechFreedom and the Institute for Policy Innovation said Pai's "thoughtful compromise proposal [will let] severely underused spectrum ... be put to work." They said segmenting the band with the lower 45 MHz for Wi-Fi and the top 30 MHz for vehicular safety will support deployment of auto safety technology and meet unlicensed spectrum needs.
The FCC wants to update its record to address RF safety challenges "presented by evolving technological advances," it said Wednesday in docket 19-226 after a 5-0 vote. Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel concurred, without issuing a statement. The action includes an order and NPRM. After reviewing the extensive record submitted in response to an inquiry, "we find no appropriate basis for and thus decline to propose amendments to our existing limits at this time," the FCC said. Chairman Ajit Pai circulated an item a few months ago to keep current limits in place, while making a few updates (see 1908080061). "Despite requests from some to increase and others to decrease the existing limits, we believe they reflect the best available information concerning safe levels of RF exposure for workers and members of the general public, including inputs from our sister federal agencies charged with regulating safety and health and from well-established international standards," the commission said now. "Based on our existing limits, we revise our implementing rules to reflect modern technology and today’s uses. We streamline our criteria for determining when a licensee is exempt from our RF exposure evaluation criteria." The NPRM asks about "targeted proposals on the application of our RF emission exposure limits for future uses of wireless technologies" and proposes to "formalize an additional limit for localized RF exposure and the associated methodology for compliance for portable devices operating at high frequencies." It also proposes allowing wireless power transfer equipment under parts 15 and 18, with specific exposure limits. CTIA responded that "as the FCC states, 'no scientific evidence establishes a causal link between wireless device use and cancer or other illnesses.'”