Southern Co. countered arguments NCTA made in February, questioning a report from the utility company on the threat from low-power indoor (LPI) unlicensed devices to electric utility operations in the 6 GHz band (see 2202240042). “NCTA continues to rely on flawed, undisclosed simulations built on assumptions that defy reasonable engineering standards … and are inconsistent with real-world Wi-Fi and fixed microwave operations,” said a Southern filing, posted Wednesday in docket 18-295. “NCTA and other proponents of unlicensed LPI operations refuse to recognize that field testing of FCC-certified, off-the-shelf, commercially available LPI devices operating under real-world conditions demonstrates that such devices will cause harmful interference to licensed fixed microwave systems in the 6 GHz band, including those -- such as Southern’s licensed microwave systems -- which are critical to ensuring the reliability and resilience of our Nation’s energy infrastructure.”

NCTA, and CableLabs, encouraged the FCC “to act promptly” to address remaining questions on automated frequency coordination (AFC) operators in the 6 GHz band, in a call with Office of Engineering and Technology staff. “Implementing a measured and reasonable increase in low-power indoor (LPI) power limits and facilitating the introduction of AFC-controlled operations are crucial steps toward a future of next-generation Wi-Fi that meets the growing need for higher speeds and robust coverage,” said a filing posted Tuesday in docket 18-295. “Because Wi-Fi continues to serve as the primary onramp to the Internet for the majority of broadband connections [in] the country, adopting the … proposed LPI power limits would benefit not only American consumers and businesses, but also educational institutions, healthcare facilities, public transportation, among others.”

Encina Communications representatives spoke with FCC Wireless Bureau staff on the company’s proposal to use Part 101 frequency coordination procedures as an alternative to automated frequency coordination in the 6 GHz band, said a filing posted Monday in docket 18-295. Encina said approval would mean the immediate “safe deployment” of Wi-Fi 6E hot spots.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel welcomed the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit’s decision upholding the agency’s 2020 5.9 GHz order (see 2208120035). “In the more than two decades since the FCC allocated the 5.9 GHz band to support automobile safety, autonomous and connected vehicles have largely moved beyond dedicated, short-range communications technologies to newer, market-driven alternatives,” Rosenworcel said Friday: The decision "recognizes that by allowing this spectrum to evolve we can advance newer safety technologies and grow our wireless economy.” Michael Calabrese, director of the Wireless Future Program at New America, noted the court reached a similar decision on the 6 GHz band. “Unsurprisingly, the D.C. Circuit reinforced its similar decision last December that the FCC has wide discretion to authorize unlicensed sharing of underutilized spectrum or even, in this case, to reallocate a portion of a lightly-used band to provide more bandwidth for next generation Wi-Fi,” Calabrese emailed: “Since Chairwoman Rosenworcel was a driving force behind the FCC’s unanimous 5-0 votes to authorize unlicensed use of both the 5.9 and 6 GHz bands, consumer advocates expect she will now move quickly to complete both proceedings and maintain the U.S. position as the global leader in Wi-Fi technologies.”

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upheld the FCC’s 2020 5.9 GHz order Friday, allocating 45 MHz of the band for Wi-Fi and 30 MHz for cellular vehicle-to-everything technology, in a win for the agency. As the court did in December on the 6 GHz order (see 2112280047), judges clarified in strong language that the FCC has significant discretion in spectrum decisions. ITS America and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials brought the case, which was argued in January (see 2201250066).

Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and other panel leaders are hopeful they can use the August recess to negotiate a deal on a spectrum legislative package before Congress returns after Labor Day, or at least decide whether to seek a stopgap FCC spectrum auction authority renewal in hopes of reaching a consensus later. Panel Democrats and Republicans divided along party lines (see 2208020076) during a Communications Subcommittee hearing last week on whether they back the 18-month authority extension included in the House-passed Spectrum Innovation Act (HR-7624).

With many commenters opposing receiver rules from the FCC, and supporting voluntary, industry-led standards (see 2207280050), the agency hasn’t necessarily reached a dead end on the issue, industry experts said. One potential next step would be a policy statement saying the FCC has the authority and intends to specify expectations about receiver vulnerability on a proceeding-by-proceeding basis. Commissioner Brendan Carr said Friday all options remain on the table.

While the FCC reallocated the 6 GHz band for unlicensed use two years ago, GSMA said Wednesday the better use would be licensed spectrum for 5G. The group urged countries worldwide to allocate 700-1,200 MHz in the band for carriers. The report “warns that allocating the full 6 GHz band to unlicensed use risks countries losing out on the full benefits of scarce spectrum resource, and damaging their ability to maximise the societal impact of governments’ and operators’ investments in 5G networks.” The band is “crucial for 5G expansion in many countries,” said Luciana Camargos, GSMA head-spectrum: “Without it, operators will often struggle to meet the predicted average of 2 GHz of mid-band spectrum needed for 5G, impacting service quality. Countries may, in consequence, lose out on the full societal and economic benefits of investment in modern 5G networks.”

Wireless ISP Association representatives want more clarity from the FCC on automated frequency coordination systems in the 6 GHz band. WISPA updated an aide to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel on work of the 6 GHz multistakeholder group (MSG) and reports from the standards development organizations, said a filing posted Monday in docket 18-295. “Among other things, they are developing standards, best practices, and testing approaches … that will govern standard power outdoor use of the 6 GHz band,” WISPA said. A report the MSG submitted last month “demonstrated broad consensus among stakeholders and explained that there is a path forward to commercial launch in the not-too-distant future given the range of areas being covered,” WISPA said: “It would help the process for stakeholders if the Commission released its Public Notice providing guidance on AFC test and certification so that the process can begin as early as practicable.”

NAB raised concerns about a proposal in a 2020 Further NPRM to allow very lower power (VLP) operations throughout the 6 GHz band (see 2207260052), in calls with aides to Commissioners Brendan Carr, Geoffrey Starks and Nathan Simington. The change would mean “harmful interference to licensed operations in the band, including particularly broadcasters’ electronic newsgathering (ENG) operations,” NAB said: “Newsworthy events frequently transpire in close proximity to crowds, whether indoors or outdoors. Thus, broadcaster ENG operations could easily receive harmful interference from nearby VLP devices -- particularly when there is little or no physical distance between individuals who may be using VLP devices and ENG operations.” Representatives of the Wi-Fi Alliance and the Wireless Innovation Forum, meanwhile, met with Office of Engineering and Technology staff on the “specifications, test plans, test cases, test harnesses and other elements by which systems and devices” that employ an automated frequency coordination system in the band “may be assessed.” Both filings were posted Wednesday in docket 18-295.