An auction of priority access licenses (PAL) in the 3.5 GHz citizens broadband radio service band may not happen until late next year, Mark Gibson, senior director-business development at CommScope, told the National Spectrum Managers Association Wednesday at its annual meeting. Fletcher Heald attorney Mitchell Lazarus warned the FCC is making more decisions based on politics rather than engineering.

Broadcasters and satellite carriers clashed with wireless carriers and Dish Network on what positions the U.S. should take on spectrum use at the World Radiocommunication Conference in 2019, in comments posted Thursday and Friday in FCC docket 16-185. Broadcasters want to have language removed from ITU table of frequency allocations they said would leave spectrum dedicated to broadcasters open for wireless use, and most satellite carriers are seeking power constraints on terrestrial international mobile telecom (IMT) and protection for satellite incumbents. Carriers such as AT&T and T-Mobile don’t want changes to the language on the use of the broadcast spectrum, do want 37.0-43.5 GHz identified for IMT, and with Dish oppose power limits. To “most effectively promote" 5G, the FCC should adopt recommendations “that promote flexible spectrum use,” T-Mobile said.

Carriers and their associations urged the FCC to move forward on scheduling auctions for high-band spectrum beyond 28 and 24 GHz. The comments came on a public notice on rules for the auctions, scheduled to get underway in November, starting with 28 GHz. “By bringing millimeter wave bands to market this year, the Commission will help facilitate the development and deployment of 5G technologies and services across the country to the benefit of the nation’s economy, businesses, and consumers,” CTIA said. The FCC needs a schedule for making more bands available, but it warned against extending anti-collusion rules across both auctions.

The FCC approved 4-0 an NPRM on ways to spark interest in the 2.5 GHz band. The item was changed while on the eighth floor to ask additional questions about how to make better use of the band, for example, holding an incentive auction like the one held for broadcast TV, officials said Thursday. Few carriers are expected to pursue the band, which is largely controlled by Sprint, despite the push (see 1805040036). The band, once dedicated to use by schools through the instructional television fixed service starting in 1963, was made available for other uses through the educational broadband service (EBS) launched by the FCC 2004.

Chairman Ajit Pai has canceled most of the meetings she had scheduled with him since she returned to the FCC last year, Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said Thursday during a news conference. Earlier in the week, Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, who's leaving, said she was unable to regularly schedule meetings with Pai (see 1805070036).

The FCC is likely to address its current spectrum screen, especially in light of T-Mobile’s proposed buy of Sprint, some industry officials said. But a move to change the screen could face a backlash, particularly because of the pending wireless deal, they said. The screen was last updated in a June 2014 order under then-Chairman Tom Wheeler and uses a one-third criterion in all bands then considered suitable for mobile broadband deployment. It includes an enhanced screen below 1 GHz because of the “distinct propagation advantages” of low-band spectrum. Commissioners Ajit Pai and Mike O’Rielly dissented then, citing concerns about the enhanced screen (see 1405160059).

The CBRS Alliance, promoting the future use of the 3.5 GHz citizens broadband radio service band, Tuesday launched the OnGo brand and a certification program for CBRS devices. Last month, the alliance unveiled network and coexistence baseline specifications. “I would compare this to Wi-Fi,” CBRS Alliance President Dave Wright said in an interview. “Everybody knows what Wi-Fi means. It’s a very versatile brand. It applies to all kinds of different applications of a technology and use cases.”

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. -- FCC Commissioner Mike O'Rielly said the U.S. is in a 5G race against rivals, some of which have government-run "industrial policy." The U.S. faces challenges from other nations "racing ahead" to try to take the lead in deploying next-generation networks and services that "will decide" wireless communications for the next 20-25 years, he said, responding to a question Saturday at the FCBA retreat where he appeared with Commissioner Brendan Carr.

Few carriers are likely to pursue the 2.5 GHz band, despite an NPRM teed up for a vote at Thursday’s FCC commissioners’ meeting, industry analysts and former FCC officials said. The record in docket 18-120 documents the lack of interest so far, with Sprint the only wireless industry company to weigh in.

The 5G wireless transition should help more Americans get connected and create more competition, said outgoing FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn. She urged applying lessons from past cellular transitions to 5G. "We can strive to get things right from the very beginning" said Wednesday's prepared remarks to the National Energy Marketers Association. "While 5G is absolutely critical when it comes to innovative new technologies and networks, such as the 'Internet of Things' and 'smarter' cities, as well as technology that will help unleash the next wave of smart grid features and efficiency, leaving behind those areas that are rural or have low net worth would be a tragic error." The "benefits must be ubiquitous if we are to collectively benefit. As we auction spectrum, and facilitate infrastructure builds for this purpose, why not seize the opportunity to leap frog the status quo when it comes to competition and deployment?" she said. "Too many in our communities are still waiting for a 3G or 4G future." The FCC and industry should make policy and investment decisions "that quickly bring these communities up to speed," she said. "What if the Commission were to auction off 5G spectrum in a way that promotes more robust competition and incentivizes new competitors in markets across the country?"