CTIA and others encouraged the FCC to make more spectrum bands available for 5G, in comments on reports to Congress required by the Spectrum Pipeline Act. Comments were due Tuesday on an August public notice, seeking feedback on results of 2015 rule changes to the 3.55-3.65 GHz band and on other bands that can be reallocated for broadband (see 1808100033). The U.S. wireless industry needs spectrum to keep up with the world, CTIA said in docket 14-177. “Other countries, from Asia to Europe, are moving aggressively to lead the world in 5G and are actively working to make spectrum available for 5G in both mid-band and high-band spectrum ranges,” CTIA said. “China, for example, reserved spectrum in the 3.3-3.6 GHz band for 5G use in 2017 and has committed two gigahertz of high-band spectrum for each major wireless operator.” Other commenters filed on a third Further NPRM on the spectrum frontiers. The Competitive Carriers Association applauded Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal to simultaneously auction the 37 GHz, 39 GHz and 47 GHz bands. “In addition to these worthwhile efforts, opening up additional bands, such as the 26 GHz and 42 GHz bands, for wireless broadband will help continue the deployment of critical wireless services to all consumers. Competitive carriers need access to a variety of spectrum resources to deploy next-generation mobile broadband technologies, including to support the Internet of Things and 5G,” CCA said. The Wireless ISP Association said the FCC should confirm that the lower 37 GHz band will be available on a coordinated shared licensed basis. “Low-barrier shared spectrum is critical for small providers, new market entrants, and competitive fixed wireless providers alike to have access to the spectrum necessary to deploy broadband in areas that are underserved or lack competition,” WISPA said. The Open Technology Institute at New America also said the lower 37 GHz band should be shared. “Authorization of a third-party and ultimately automated coordination framework will facilitate the most intensive and cost-effective degree of shared access,” OTI commented. OTI supported site-based registration through a third-party coordinator. “Pressure on existing licensed mobile and unlicensed spectrum bands will continue to intensify due to the growing consumer demand for wireless connectivity, and the bands identified in the FNPRM will certainly serve an important role in providing 5G,” Qualcomm said, asking to “authorize mobile and fixed operations in these bands using licensed and shared unlicensed regulatory paradigms.”

FCC Commissioner Mike O'Rielly urged the Rural Utilities Service to target $600 million in congressional appropriations for boosting broadband on "areas most in need of support" that are "truly unserved." O'Rielly and Microsoft urged a "technology-neutral" approach, and the American Cable Association said RUS must "prevent overbuilding of existing broadband providers and coordinate with broadband support programs of other federal agencies." There were 130 comments posted by Monday in RUS-18-TELECOM-0004 of regulations.gov in response to a notice of inquiry on how to structure an e-Connectivity pilot program.

An incentive auction likely isn't appropriate for the 2.5 GHz band and county-based licensing makes more sense, T-Mobile replied on an NPRM looking at the future of the educational broadband service band (see 1809070048). Merger partner Sprint argued against changes to how the band is treated. Replies were due last week in FCC docket 18-120. Numerous comments posted Monday.

All U.S. spectrum policies haven’t been success stories and that’s the way things should work, NTIA Administrator David Redl said at a Silicon Flatirons conference Thursday evening (see 1809060049) titled: “Spectrum Hall of Shame: The Worst (and Best) Radio Policy Decisions.” Others said flexible licenses have been a hallmark of U.S. success.

A long-awaited FCC order on changes to rules for the citizens broadband radio service band is unlikely for the Sept. 26 commissioners’ meeting, but should get a vote at the Oct. 23 meeting, said industry officials active in the 3.5 GHz proceeding. FCC Commissioner Mike O’Rielly said in early July he started to share his long-awaited proposal for the band with Chairman Ajit Pai (see Notebook section at end of 1807120033).

The House and Senate Commerce committees are aiming to continue working on telecom and media issues in September, lawmakers and lobbyists said in interviews. Senate Commerce leaders plan additional work to create a spectrum and 5G-related legislative package as the committee’s top telecom priority. House Commerce is eyeing a September media marketplace hearing with a likely focus on the Next Generation Television Marketplace Act (HR-6465). Lobbyists and communications sector observers cautioned that Capitol Hill’s rapidly closing legislative window means there's only a limited chance new telecom bills will advance before November elections and the subsequent lame-duck session.

With the Connect America Fund Phase II reverse auction wrapped up (see 1808280035), the policy discussion needs to shift to spectrum policy, especially forthcoming citizens broadband radio service band decisions, the Wireless ISP Association said Tuesday. It said 15 members were among CAF II reverse auction winners. WISPA CEO Claude Aiken tweeted that the auction results are "one more step in closing the #DigitalDivide" and fixed wireless operators accounting for about half of the auction spending is a "Big moment for the industry."

With their deal in the works, T-Mobile and Sprint are likely to be cautious in the upcoming 28 and 24 GHz auctions, Macquarie’s Amy Yong wrote investors Thursday. “Both will look to participate,” the analyst forecast. “T-Mobile has confirmed its interest and filed a letter asking the FCC to allow it to enter the auctions, while Sprint views mmWave as complementary to its [approximately] 150 MHz of 2.5 GHz spectrum. But, despite protections in place against sharing sensitive competitive info, there could be hesitation to participate at a large scale given the deal’s pending regulatory review. We continue to see the potential for a new class of 5G winners, including New T-Mobile.” Verizon has lots of millimeter-wave spectrum and is likely to participate “opportunistically,” Yong said. While AT&T has more than 375 MHz of 39 GHz in the top 100 markets from its FiberTower, “it will participate in the auctions,” she thinks. Non-carriers also could jump in, she said: “Comcast/Charter’s participation could mean a larger commitment to wireless, while tech could bring new 5G players. We note that Google met with the FCC regarding the C-Band initiative.” Yong said all of the spectrum set for auction by the FCC, including the C-band, has negative implications for Dish Network stockpile of frequency-use rights.

FCC commissioners approved an order extending the Mobility Fund II challenge window by an additional 90 days. All four commissioners voted yes, though Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel partially dissented, saying the agency needs to do more on its own to fix the maps that will be used to identify areas without 4G LTE. The fund will provide up to $4.53 billion to support 4G LTE in unserved areas. Chairman Ajit Pai circulated an order earlier this month extending the challenge deadline (see 1808030042).

ASPEN, Colo. -- Rollout of next-generation wireless may take longer than some appreciate and customers may not immediately see the need to pay much more for it, some experts said. All on a Technology Policy Institute panel Tuesday agreed 5G will be used for things requiring low latency and high capacity and/or high speeds like telehealth and virtual reality, which some don’t see it as very profitable. They see progress narrowing the digital divide since the TPI panel on that subject a year ago (see 1708220036). Speakers mainly agreed smaller spectrum blocks can help such efforts when carriers expand rural broadband, answering a question from audience member ex-FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn.