An order the FCC released late Thursday about 5.9 GHz rules largely omitted use of the band for Wi-Fi, despite pleas of unlicensed advocates (see 2407220015). The long-awaited order focuses instead almost exclusively on final rules for cellular-vehicle-to-everything technology in the band (see 2411210054).

The FCC released on Wednesday text of three items scheduled for a vote at the commissioners’ Dec. 11 open meeting, including rules that would allow new very-low-power (VLP) devices to operate without coordination across the 6 GHz band (see 2411190068). The FCC will also consider changing USF letter of credit (LOC) rules and updating several broadcast radio and TV rules.

In what could be its last full meeting under Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, the FCC on Dec. 11 will consider rules that would expand parts of the 6 GHz band where new very-low-power (VLP) devices can operate without coordination, beyond the initial 850 MHz commissioners approved last year (see 2310190054). Commissioners at the open meeting will also consider changing rules that govern letters of credit for USF programs and an item updating several broadcast radio and TV rules. Also on the agenda are various enforcement items, which will be released after the commission's approval.

Tech companies' recent filing (see 2411070023) countering a broadcaster study on interference to electronic news-gathering (ENG) operations from very-low-power (VLP) devices in parts of the 6 GHz band doesn’t oppose an ENG “safe harbor,” NAB noted in a filing at the FCC. Broadcasters have asked that the agency “temporarily reserve a small fraction of the 6 GHz band -- the 55 MHz band at the top of the U-NII-8 sub-band … as a ‘safety valve’ in the event of interference,” said a filing Thursday in docket 18-295. “The claim that the ‘vast majority of VLP devices will not operate in locations where they could cause harmful interference’ is specious,” NAB added: “The whole point of the VLP service is that the devices can be used anywhere and need not be under the control of an access point.”

Members of the Public Safety Spectrum Alliance cast the FCC’s recent order allowing FirstNet to use unassigned parts of the 4.9 GHz band as a win for public safety agencies. Industry experts said the order is unlikely to be reversed in the Donald Trump administration since it was approved with the support of FCC Republicans Brendan Carr and Nathan Simington. Opponents have threatened litigation (see 2410220027).

The Society of Broadcast Engineers asked the FCC to set aside 55 MHz at the top of the 6 GHz U-NII-8 band as a “safe harbor” for electronic newsgathering (ENG) operations. “Fundamentally, SBE respectfully submits that temporarily reserving a small swath of spectrum for incumbent, mission-critical broadcast ENG operations has no policy drawbacks, and instead only benefits both the public and affected industry stakeholders,” said a filing posted Tuesday in docket 18-295.

Tech companies responded to NAB concerns (see 2410290052) about interference to broadcasters' electronic news-gathering (ENG) operations from very-low-power (VLP) devices in parts of the 6 GHz band. The companies noted that in June they submitted a report on broadcast auxiliary service use of the spectrum and VLP (see 2407010057). “NAB faults the study for simulating distant devices in locations where they could not cause interference,” said a filing posted Thursday in docket 18-295: “But this is no flaw. Rather, the fact that the vast majority of VLP devices will not operate in locations where they could cause harmful interference is a key finding of the study.” Apple, Broadcom, Google, Meta Platforms and Qualcomm made the filing.

SiriusXM Radio told the FCC that its network is more vulnerable than other incumbents to interference from outdoor use of very-low-power devices in part of the 6 GHz band. The company was responding to Apple, which last month downplayed those concerns in meetings at the FCC. “Sirius XM’s satellite-delivered service is unique among satellite providers because of our custom-designed network that provides digital audio and data services primarily to vehicles,” said a filing Tuesday in docket 18-295. The service “is received by these vehicles through low gain, tea cup size satellite antennas installed on vehicle roofs,” SiriusXM said: “These antennas use an extremely low noise amplifier to capture very weak signals near the noise floor from satellites located more than 36,000 kilometers above the Earth.”

The Tuesday congressional elections could lead to significant turnover on the Senate Commerce Committee even beyond ranking member Ted Cruz, R-Texas, with four other panel members facing tough or potentially competitive reelection fights. The outcome of Cruz’s reelection bid against Rep. Colin Allred, D-Texas, has the biggest potential to alter the Senate Commerce dynamic because Cruz is poised to become panel chairman if he's reelected and Republicans gain a majority in the upper chamber (see 2411040049). Late polls suggested both of these results are more likely than not. It's less likely there will be substantial turnover on the Senate Judiciary, House Commerce and House Judiciary committees, as only a handful of those panels’ members face competitive contests.

Fans and critics of the proposal giving very-low power (VLP) devices greater access to the 6 GHz band (see 2410040055) are lobbying the 10th floor. The band's U-NII-6 and U-NII-8 portions are key to broadcasters' electronic news-gathering (ENG) operations and face particular threat from increased indoor and outdoor unlicensed operations, NAB said in a filing posted Tuesday in docket 18-295. In meetings with FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel's office and the Office of Engineering and Technology, NAB said broadcasters are concerned VLP unlicensed devices might operate at power levels similar to those that licensed mobile ENG equipment use. Reserving "a mere 55 MHz" for licensed mobile use would be a "safe harbor" for ENG, it said. Apple, Broadcom, Google and Meta, meeting with the offices of Commissioners Nathan Simington and Anna Gomez, said VLP access to the U-NII-6 and U-NII-8 portions will mean more spectrum available for emerging portable applications, thus improving channel availability and performance. They said the risk of harmful interference from VLP devices to fixed service, broadcast auxiliary service and satellite networks is tiny.