Apple representatives urged approval of revised 6 GHz rules allowing very-low-power devices at 14 dBm effective isotropic radiated power, in a call with FCC Chief Technology Officer Monisha Ghosh. “This power level is essential to ensuring that VLP devices are functional in typical high body loss cases,” said a filing posted Thursday in docket 18-295. “Allowing 6 GHz mobile standard-power access points in the U-NII-5 and U-NII-7 bands controlled by Automatic Frequency Coordination systems will provide significant benefits while protecting incumbents.” Verizon asked aides to Chairman Ajit Pai and Commissioners Mike O’Rielly, Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks to act on its petition for reconsideration seeking higher power for unlicensed standard-power 6 GHz access points subject to AFC control (see 2011030021). Southern Co. raised 6 GHz interference concerns. A recent cable industry study “underestimates the number of Very Low Power devices, their transmissions, and a variety of other link budget parameters to falsely support the claims that licensed fixed microwave systems would be protected from harmful interference,” the utility said. NAB raised concerns about proposed test procedures for unlicensed devices in the band, speaking with Office of Engineering and Technology staff. It’s “unclear what division of OET was making final determinations on those procedures, which is troubling given that the Laboratory Division’s draft publication appears to include arbitrary requirements that are not found in the Commission’s order in this proceeding and will fail to protect licensed users of the band,” NAB said. The FCC didn't comment.
Wireless and satellite critics of AST's planned 243-satelltie non-geostationary orbit constellation to provide mobile broadband connectivity (see 2011040003) "don't know our system," CEO Abel Avellan said in an interview Thursday. He said concerns about lack of proof of interference protections and about spectrum use incompatible with FCC rules "are simply not factual," and the company will respond. The plans for satellite-based connectivity to mobile devices "is revolutionary, [and] when you bring something completely new, people don't understand it," he said. The company is seeking regulatory approvals other than the U.S. and plans to begin putting up its constellation in late 2021, he said.
NCTA expressed support for the FCC’s draft 5.9 GHz order (see 2010280064), in calls with aides to the commissioners, except Brendan Carr, and to Office of General Counsel staff. “Although NCTA supported designating the full 75 megahertz of the band for both indoor and outdoor operations, the band-split approach described in the draft Order represents a good compromise that is a win for American Wi-Fi and automotive consumers,” said a filing posted Thursday in docket 19-138: “Unlicensed proponents such as NCTA’s members will have access to a contiguous 160-megahertz gigabit Wi-Fi channel … to bring indoor Wi-Fi online quickly to American homes and businesses, with a path to outdoor operations in the future.” Commissioners vote Nov. 18.
AST's request for U.S. market access for a 243-satelltie non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) constellation to provide mobile satellite service (see 2004140001) is getting pushback from some satellite operators and wireless providers. In a petition to deny this week with the FCC International Bureau, Hughes/EchoStar said none of the 617-960 MHz or 17110-2200 MHz spectrum AST wants to use is allocated for such use or otherwise available for licensing. They urged dismissal or deferred consideration of AST’s proposed V-band operations until a new processing round. Verizon said providing satellite-based connectivity to smartphones and tablets using terrestrial wireless spectrum would be incompatible with rules, and AST didn't explain how it could do so without interfering with U.S. terrestrial operations. The telco said AST didn't provide enough technical information to assess whether its SpaceMobile satellite network would interfere with wireless networks. It's "of such magnitude that [it] must be addressed via rulemaking before the full Commission," T-Mobile asked. The carrier said AST isn't seeking authority now to use terrestrial mobile spectrum and instead plans to lease terrestrial mobile spectrum, but rules for long-term de facto transfer leases say if the underlying spectrum is only for certain services, those restrictions also apply to the spectrum lessee. CTIA said AST's request lacks any demonstration of how terrestrial mobile operations will be protected. The group said high-band spectrum use that's inconsistent with the table of allocations should be subject to rulemaking. Telesat Canada said AST's petition came well after the deadline for the last V-band processing round, so it's unclear why the petition was accepted: It should be considered if a new processing round is opened, alongside other V-band asks. The company said any AST approval should be conditioned on protecting systems authorized in that initial processing round, like Telesat's. Boeing didn't object to AST OK and seeks first a processing round for V-band NGSO systems. AT&T said AST's technology "is promising," but its petition raises technical issues deserving study, and the requester should provide technical evidence to confirm that coexistence with terrestrial mobile systems is feasible. Rakuten Mobile, an AST investor, said the satellite operator's technology "could significantly improve 4G and 5G availability." AST didn't comment Wednesday.
CTA and tech companies asked the FCC to act on revised rules for very low-power devices in the 6 GHz band, in a call with Commissioner Brendan Carr. “Appropriate power levels for VLP, specifically 14 dBm [effective isotropic radiated power], which is the minimum power level needed to overcome body loss and channel fading associated with portable operations,” are important, CTA said Monday in docket 18-295. That's “approximately four times less power than permitted for typical smartphones, laptops, and tablets, and five times lower power than already allowed for low power indoor client devices.” Intel, Google, Broadcom, Apple, Facebook and Microsoft officials participated. The Wi-Fi Alliance urged action in calls with aides to Chairman Ajit Pai and Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. Verizon spoke with a Carr aide about a petition for reconsideration requesting higher power for unlicensed standard-power 6 GHz access points subject to automatic frequency coordination. Commissioners are expected to consider rules in December (see 2010190040).
AST's SpaceMobile orbiting cellular broadband constellation plans (see 2004140001) raise significant orbital debris concerns and should have a conjunction assessment and mitigation process that's as sophisticated and risk averse as the one done for the NASA satellites it will closely neighbor, NASA said in an FCC International Bureau filing Friday. AST would essentially be collocated with the Earth Science Morning and Afternoon constellations of NASA, U.S. Geological Survey, France's National Centre for Space Studies and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, which have osculating altitudes between 690 and 740 kilometers, NASA said. The space agency said there also must be "a robust arrangement" for sharing maneuver plans between AST and NASA and its partners during routine operations to prevent collisions and simultaneous maneuvers. It said due to the collision dangers, AST satellites should have the capability of powered descents and higher reliability than specified by the government's 2019 orbital debris mitigation standard practices, and AST should consider an orbit below the earth science constellations. In a statement, AST Chief Scientist-Space Systems Raymond Sedwick said the company reviewed the letter and is "confident that we can work with them to address their concerns, including providing clarification of AST’s constellation design that robustly manages orbital debris, keeping NASA and other orbital assets safe.” Also filed Friday, Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., was the latest lawmaker to write in support of AST's plans (see 2010220011).
Stakeholders seek an FCC NPRM on the future of the 12 GHz band, in a filing posted Monday in RM-11768. Signing were the Competitive Carriers Association, Computer & Communications Industry Association, Incompas, Public Knowledge and Open Technology Institute at New America. Industry officials said a December NPRM is possible. At most, launch a notice of inquiry, OneWeb asked in calls with aides to Carr and Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. The FCC didn't comment. Some have “expressed concerns about whether sharing in the 12 GHz Band is possible” (see 2010260023), the groups said. “These are precisely some of the questions that need to be reviewed in the context of an NPRM -- one that can be crafted in a neutral manner to ask all the pertinent questions concerning the operation of terrestrial 5G service in the 12 GHz Band.” The 12.2-12.7 GHz portion of the band is “5G ready,” the letter said. This coalition “has a long record of supporting competition and innovation,” emailed Angie Kronenberg, Incompas general counsel: “The FCC should take a neutral approach to the NPRM as it considers the availability of 500 megahertz of spectrum in the 12 GHz band. From INCOMPAS’ perspective, this is absolutely needed so that the FCC can fully consider the issues and enable more spectrum that can be used to promote more competition for 5G service.” PK spoke last week with aides to Commissioners Brendan Carr and Geoffrey Starks. “The request for rulemaking is not intended to undermine protections for incumbent satellite uses, including satellite broadband use, but is instead meant to build a record on whether it is feasible to adopt a sharing framework that could expand the availability of spectrum for both fixed and mobile broadband deployments, to expand more flexible and intensive terrestrial use of the band,” the group said. “Given the persistent need for more spectrum, the commission should look at all opportunities to maximize spectrum use,” said CCA President Steve Berry. "The 12 GHz band, which lacks existing government interests, could present a potential opportunity, and CCA encourages the FCC to take a fresh look to see if this spectrum band can support wireless services. ... Opening a proceeding creates an opportunity for all to put evidence on the record so that the FCC can make an informed decision.”
The Rural Digital Opportunities Fund Phase 1 auction is the FCC's "biggest step yet" to close the digital divide, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said as the agency announced the start of the auction. The multi-round, descending clock auction is capped at $16 billion and will end when there's no competition for support in an area.
Act on an order allowing Wi-Fi use of the 5.9 GHz band, Michael Calabrese, director of the Wireless Future Program at New America, told aides to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and Commissioner Geoffrey Starks. “By employing a firmware upgrade to existing equipment, this additional 45 megahertz can very quickly create the first and only gigabit-fast Wi-Fi channel at standard power that is unimpeded by the cost, complexity and delay of control by a geolocation database,” Calabrese said in a filing posted Wednesday in docket 19-138: “The ability to rapidly upgrade existing Wi-Fi routers to help families struggling to work, learn and stay connected to loved ones at home is even more critical for the duration of the pandemic.” The FCC votes Nov. 18 (see 2010280064).