Boeing representatives said the FCC should authorize “unlicensed devices that are able to operate in the 6 GHz band on aircraft in flight above 10,000 feet without the use of automated frequency coordination.” They met with aides to Chairman Ajit Pai and Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, said a Thursday posting in docket 18-295. Boeing has demonstrated that “allowing unlicensed 6 GHz devices on aircraft will not result in harmful interference to incumbent 6 GHz licensees,” they said. Commissioners may vote on a coming order in April (see 2003050058).
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai could propose an order on the 6 GHz band for the April 23 meeting, industry and FCC officials said. That would move one of his biggest pieces of unfinished business, providing spectrum for unlicensed use comparable to the mid-band allocated for licensed use in the C band. Pai was expected to propose an item in March. Staff needed more time, we were told Thursday.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai blogged Monday that on his trip to India last week, he met with officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, including Chairman Ram Sharma. Pai held “a town hall where I answered numerous questions.” Pai met Shri Anshu Prakash, the Department of Telecommunications' top telecom official: “We discussed several of the FCC’s innovative spectrum policies, such as the 3.5 GHz band, the 3.7-4.2 GHz band" and the 6 GHz Wi-Fi proposal.” Pai discussed supply chain issues with National Cyber Security Coordinator Lt. Gen. Rajesh Pant.
Tech companies told the FCC they are unable to replicate data in a December NAB filing on unlicensed use of the 6 GHz band (see 1912060007). The companies said in January the study, by Alion, was riddled with errors (see 2001150042). “We appreciate NAB’s and Alion’s willingness to discuss these issues with us, but, unfortunately, we still have not been able to obtain the information necessary to replicate NAB’s study,” Apple, Broadcom, Cisco, Facebook, Google, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Intel, Microsoft, NXP Semiconductors and Qualcomm said in docket 18-295, posted Monday. “Given what we have learned, we reiterate our previous objections to that study -- its assumptions were so wildly inaccurate that the Commission cannot rationally rely on it in evaluating the risk of harmful interference.” NAB didn't comment.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said his visit to India with President Donald Trump was a big moment in his career. “It was a special honor to represent the top levels of the U.S. government visiting the country where my parents grew up,” Pai told reporters Friday after his agency's meeting. He noted he was the highest-ranking U.S. person of Indian dissent at a state dinner hosted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Discussions with telecom regulators included the 3.5 and 6 GHz bands and supply chain security, Pai said.
Who gets what accelerated relocation incentive payments in the FCC's C-band auction regime went largely unchanged in the band-clearing order approved 3-2 along party lines Friday (see 2002280005), said Chairman Ajit Pai and Commissioner Mike O’Rielly. Big rewrites of the draft order weren't expected (see 2002270048). The meeting was at times contentious, with pointed Republican and Democratic statements. Incumbent small satellite operators (SSO) plan to go to court.
The Wireless ISP Association told the FCC it should ignore an effort to license part of the 6 GHz spectrum, being examined for unlicensed use. “CTIA is attempting to resurrect study of licensed spectrum in this band well after the Commission has made clear that the exclusive focus of this proceeding is to enable unlicensed services in this band,” WISPA said, posted Thursday in docket 18-295. Comments offer “an extensive record detailing how making 5925-7125 MHz available for unlicensed use would have numerous positive, critical effects,” the group said.
Two House Commerce Committee Republicans, Billy Long of Missouri and Susan Brooks of Indiana, asked FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to consider licensed use (see 1912230035) of the 6 GHz band. “Given the importance of 5G to our economic and national security futures, we ask you to consider the feasibility of multiple allocations of the 6 GHz band, including whether it best serves the public interest to make a portion of this valued resource available for licensed commercial development, particularly if we can offer the American taxpayer additional" revenue, said Wednesday's letter.
CTIA urged the FCC to launch a Further NPRM on licensing the 6.525-7.125 GHz band for flexible-use services and moving incumbent fixed service operations to other spectrum. NTIA has been scoping the 7125-8400 MHz band (see 1908010065). What CTIA seeks could be difficult since federal agencies, particularly DOD, are active in the band (see 1912230035). CTIA isn’t giving up and filed a Commsearch report saying the move is possible. “Merely matching other countries’ spectrum investments, however, will not be enough for the U.S. to lead in our new 5G economy because these nations are not finished,” CTIA said in docket 18-295, posted Tuesday. “Other leading countries are on track to make available four times as much licensed mid-band spectrum as the U.S. by the end of 2020, with nations like Japan and South Korea pushing ahead with plans for additional mid-band spectrum in the next few years.”
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., urged the FCC to “resolve” consideration of Ligado's L-band license modifications. She urged all federal agencies to “come to the table” on reassessing their spectrum needs to help bolster the U.S. position in the race against other countries for dominance in 5G development. FCC proceedings on a C-band auction plan (see 2002250076) and TV white spaces NPRM (see 2002250068) also came up at Tuesday's American Consumer Institute event.