Two FCC Wi-Fi items, on rules for automated frequency control in 6 GHz and a notice of inquiry on IoT spectrum needs, likely will have smooth sailing Thursday with 4-0 votes. Neither has been particularly controversial since drafts circulated two weeks ago, though Lumen had recent calls with aides to all four commissioners, saying the AFC rules as proposed don’t go far enough. Commissioner Brendan Carr sought a few tweaks on the NOI, but otherwise both items are expected to be approved largely as-is.

U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit judges peppered both sides with questions, during an often highly technical oral argument Friday, as the FCC defended its order opening the 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi and other unlicensed use. AT&T, APCO, electric utilities and other plaintiffs argued the FCC never explained why it didn’t require use of automated frequency control (AFC) to protect incumbents from low-power indoor use, which got some support on the court. Judge Justin Walker, a new member of the court, warned the agency's order could be remanded or even vacated.

A draft NPRM on automatic frequency coordination (AFC) in the 6 GHz band, set for a Sept. 30 vote, is an important next step for the band, said representatives of the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA) in a call with an aide to acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. They “encouraged the FCC to continue to work rapidly and to expedite AFC certification so that the full range of unlicensed devices may commence operations in the 6 GHz band while ensuring protection of incumbent services,” said a filing posted Thursday in docket 18-295. Standard power operations permitted by AFC “will support outdoor, indoor higher power, and indoor connectorized antenna deployments,” DSA said. Representatives of Cisco, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Aruba and Federated Wireless were on the call.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit laid out a final schedule Friday for oral argument, scheduled for Sept. 17, on challenges to FCC 6 GHz rules (see 2104160053). AT&T, APCO, electric utilities and other plaintiffs had appealed the order. Petitioners get 12 minutes, followed by three minutes on issues raised by APCO. The government gets 12 minutes to respond, with three minutes for intervenors defending the FCC, said an order (in Pacer) in docket 20-1190.

The FCC provided details on its proposal to reshape the rules for the 4.9 GHz band, adopted 3-2 last year, in a draft report and Further NPRM posted Thursday and set for a commissioner vote Sept. 30 (see 2109080081). The item examines sharing the spectrum, while giving public safety priority access similar to FirstNet.

FCC acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced the several items that she and her colleagues tentatively will vote on Sept. 30. They include public-safety spectrum and 911 issues, plus paving the way for more robust Wi-Fi and cracking down further on some robocalls, she blogged Wednesday afternoon. The drafts will be released Thursday, a spokesperson told us. Our earlier news bulletin is here.

FCC acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced what she and her colleagues will vote on Sept. 30. They include public-safety spectrum and 911 issues, plus paving the way for more robust Wi-Fi and cracking down further on some robocalls, she blogged Wednesday afternoon. The drafts will be released Thursday, a spokesperson told us.

The FCC's next steps on open radio access networks are unclear, three months after the agency wrapped up a comment cycle on a notice of inquiry, industry experts told us. The big question they have is what the FCC could propose in an NPRM that would help speed the deployment of ORAN. Experts said acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and other commissioners see open networks as offering an alternative to an equipment market with a limited number of players, but a decision may have to wait for a permanent chair and full contingent of commissioners.

The FCC Wireless Bureau granted six licenses to tribes in Alaska to use the 2.5 GHz band for broadband. That brings to 270 the number of licenses granted to tribal entities, the FCC said Monday.

Launching automated frequency control (AFC) in the 6 GHz band will likely be complicated and could take years to roll out, members of the Wireless Innovation Forum’s 6 GHz Committee Steering Group warned FCC Office of Engineering and Technology staff. Experiences with the citizens broadband radio service and TV white spaces suggest the process could take three years or longer, said a filing posted Thursday in docket 18-295. The process “could also be lengthy if required to wait for the FCC to perform AFC system testing, or select (and possibly accredit) third-party labs,” the filing said. The group asked about ways to streamline testing, whether some steps can be done in parallel and about AFC system operators testing their own systems.