Wi-Fi Alliance representatives spoke with aides to all four FCC commissioners seeking action on the long-pending Further NPRM on the 6 GHz band, said a filing posted Tuesday in docket 18-295. The FCC Office of Engineering and Technology has reportedly started work on an order addressing the 2020 FNPRM (see 2207060036). “Despite the Commission trailblazing the use of the 6 GHz band for unlicensed operations, regulators in other countries have rapidly advanced beyond the Commission’s initial decision, allowing more complete use of the band for very low power and additional low power indoor use,” the alliance said: “We observed that 6 GHz incumbents in those other countries are no different than in the U.S. -- with extensive fixed microwave and satellite services deployments in the band.”

Key FCC decisions on the 5.9 GHz band appear to be on hold, pending a U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruling on a case challenging the commission's 2020 order reallocating the spectrum. Judges heard oral arguments six months ago and appeared to be sympathetic to the FCC (see 2201250066).

Representatives of Encinca Communications spoke with staff for all four FCC commissioners on “the compelling case for updating Part 101 rules to harmonize with Part 15 rules in the 6 GHz band.” The FCC’s 2020 6 GHz order “encouraged the formation of an industry-led multi-stakeholder group (MSG) to address the technical and operational issues associated with the automated frequency coordination system,” said a filing posted Friday in docket 18-295. MSG members have “essentially run into a brick wall” and failed to reach industry consensus, Encinca said: “The practical reality of this result means that, more than two years after the adoption of the [6 GHz order], over 290 million consumers are still being denied the features and benefits of the outdoor use of the 6 GHz band -- Wi-Fi 6E based equipment for mobile fixed wireless access use.”

CableLabs, NCTA and member companies spoke with FCC Office of Engineering and Technology staff about the 6 GHz band, urging the FCC to address a remand from U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and make changes proposed in a 2020 Further NPRM. There have been reports OET started to draft an order further liberalizing rules for the massive Wi-Fi band (see 2207060036). Advocates presented a new report by CableLabs, “Enhanced 6 GHz Simulations Supporting the FCC’s Proposed Increase in LPI Power,” which they said “reflects updates to its probabilistic analysis of coexistence among 6 GHz LPI [low-power indoor] unlicensed services and Fixed Service (FS) users.” They urged action. “By adopting the 6 GHz FNPRM proposal to allow higher LPI power levels, the Commission can quickly deliver expanded benefits to consumers,” said a filing posted Thursday in docket 18-295: “Many 6 GHz LPI devices that currently are being deployed are tunable up to those higher power levels, and more than 338 million Wi-Fi 6E devices will enter the market this year.” Comcast, Cox Enterprises, Charter Communications and Midcontinent Communications were among the companies represented on the call.

The Open Technology Institute at New America hopes the FCC will act soon on changes to rules for the 6 and 12 GHz bands, it told an aide to Commissioner Geoffrey Starks. On 12 GHz, the FCC should “resolve at least the fundamental issue of coexistence between satellite incumbents … and potential two-way terrestrial use,” said a filing posted Wednesday in docket 20-443: “Although we agree that coexistence with mobile 5G is the initial focus of the proceeding, the public interest groups supporting more intensive use of the band expect that the Commission will consider the extent to which a low-power, indoor-only underlay for unlicensed use.”

The FCC Wireless Bureau sought comment Friday on a request by ContiTech USA for a waiver of rules for the 76-81 GHz bands for industrial applications. The bureau also created a new docket, 22-260. ContiTech’s conveyor radar was developed for use in automobiles for collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control, the bureau said: “ContiTech seeks permission to use its radars to support mining, milling, and tunneling operations. … The radars would be placed above a conveyor belt to monitor weight changes, energy consumption, and provide safety information.” Comments are due Aug. 8, replies Sept. 6.

The FCC Office of Engineering and Technology asked for comments by Aug. 4, replies by Aug. 6, on an April waiver request by Schlage for an ultra-wideband device it hopes to sell for security use to be mounted on building entryways (see 2207050065). “Schlage describes how it intends to use an impulse radio UWB system to enable peer-to-peer communications between a UWB-enabled access door lock/reader installed on a residential entranceway and a UWB-enabled mobile phone,” said a notice in docket 22-248 listed in Wednesday’s Daily Digest. Although the system is “designed to use 2.4 GHz Bluetooth technology for the phone to discover the reader and engage in data exchange activities (which is not subject to the waiver), the reader will then operate as a UWB device to track the location and movement of the phone’s user and determine whether there is a proof of presence, and an intent to enter the secured area,” OET said.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel asked the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology to start drafting an order on key issues raised in a Further NPRM on the 6 GHz band, industry officials were told. Commissioners approved the FNPRM 5-0 in April 2020 (see 2004230059) and final comments have been in since July 2020 (see 2007280033).

The Open Technology Institute at New America encouraged the FCC to complete a Further NPRM on authorizing very-low power devices and higher power for indoor-only use in the 6 GHz band, in a call with an aide to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. The group asked “about the status of the 6 GHz proceeding and reiterated the strong support of the Public Interest Spectrum Coalition (PISC) for rapidly making the benefits of the Commission’s historic April 2020 Report and Order fully available to consumers,” said a filing posted Tuesday in docket 18-295. OTI asked the FCC to conditionally approve automated frequency control systems for use in the band.

The House Appropriations Committee expects the FCC to "take further action to help eliminate the potential for future interagency spectrum disputes" beyond a coordination agreement between commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson (see 2202150001), the panel said in a report accompanying the Financial Services Subcommittee's FY 2023 bill. The underlying measure (see 2203280069), set for a Friday committee vote, would give the FCC $390 million, up 2.3% from what Congress appropriated in the FY 2022 omnibus appropriations package President Joe Biden signed in March (see 2203150076). The bill would give the FTC $490 million in FY23, up 30% from FY22. The markup begins at 9 a.m. in 1100 Longworth.