Utility concerns about unlicensed operations in the 6 GHz band (see 2001140057) are predicated on incorrect assumptions and errors, CableLabs responded. Antenna gain to number of access points, when corrected, shows that low-power indoor Wi-Fi, operating without automated frequency coordination, is no interference risk to fixed service in the band, said the docket 18-295 posting Tuesday. The R&D group and the cable industry back FCC-unlicensed operations (see 2002030049). The utility interests didn't comment.

Tech companies met an aide to FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr and staff for the Office of Engineering and Technology on power levels required for 6 GHz band augmented and virtual reality body-worn devices. The FCC is considering rules for sharing the band with Wi-Fi and other unlicensed. “Given the significant body loss that affects connectivity between body-worn devices, 14 dBm radiated power is the minimum level of power that will reliably enable AR/VR applications” but the devices don’t have to “typically or constantly transmit at these power levels,” said the filing in docket 17-183. Apple, Broadcom, Cisco, Facebook, Google, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Intel, Microsoft, NXP Semiconductors, Qualcomm and Ruckus Networks were represented. Meanwhile, cable Interests are pushing for low-power indoor (LPI) Wi-Fi use in the band. Comcast, Charter Communications and Cable Labs told OET it isn't a threat to fixed service incumbents in the band, and data from 500,000 Wi-Fi access points used in simulations helped prove that, per another posting Monday. Comcast in meetings with aides to Chairman Ajit Pai and Commissioners Brendan Carr and Geoffrey Starks urged allowing LPI use throughout the band without the need for automated frequency coordination.

The FCC approved 5-0 Thursday an NPRM seeking comment on whether the FCC should update its hearing aid standards, based on American National Standards Institute (ANSI) 2019 standards. Current rules are based on 2011 standards. Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said the FCC must address the issue that last year’s ANSI standards don’t take into account new 5G phones using high-band spectrum.

The FCC certified the first four spectrum access system administrators for full-scale commercial launch of unlicensed use of the citizens broadband radio service band. The four are CommScope, Federated Wireless, Google and Sony. The development was expected as a critical next step for the band (see 1912260040). The four, plus Amdocs, were cleared last year to start initial commercial deployment in the 3.5 GHz spectrum. “The FCC has made it a priority to free up mid-band spectrum for advanced wireless services like 5G” and this is “the latest step to achieve that priority,” said Chairman Ajit Pai. Priority access licensees and general authorized access (GAA) users will share the band, with the administrators managing use of the band. Its first commercial use is in the GAA tier, with the FCC auction of PALs to start June 25. The Wireless Bureau and Office of Engineering and Technology issued the approvals Monday. “With more than 25 customers offering commercial services and another 50 in development, Federated Wireless is extremely pleased with the momentum the market has achieved since[initial launch] in September, and we are eager to continue driving the next wave of services including private 5G,” said Federated Wireless CEO Iyad Tarazi: “2020 will be an extremely active year for all of us who have worked so hard to bring the promise of CBRS to reality, and we are fully committed to working closely with all of the customer segments that stand to benefit from the new business and service models being developed and deployed today.” After years of work, "full commercial deployment of CBRS shared spectrum is a real thing, not a dream,” emailed Louis Peraertz, Wireless ISP Association vice president-policy: “If it works in this complex band, other forms of sharing -- such as in the C-Band, 5.9 GHz and 6 GHz bands -- can and should go forward. We cannot wait to see what it will do for the band and for other spectrum.” Full commercial deployment “is the final stage in the commercialization process that started in 2013 when the FCC began pursuing an innovative shared spectrum model in the 3.5 GHz band,” the CBRS Alliance said: “The success of this initiative is the result of unprecedented public-private partnerships between industry and government organizations.”

FCC staff is holding “routine discussions and meetings with NTIA on behalf of other federal agencies and consultation with the Department of Energy and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission” on the 6 GHz band, Chairman Ajit Pai told Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, in a Jan. 16 letter posted Friday. The FCC Office of Engineering and Technology “has been evaluating a variety of issues, such as indoor and outdoor use cases and a variety of device power levels, to discern whether and to what extent unlicensed operations can exist alongside incumbent uses,” Pai said: “The Commission will ultimately be driven by the facts in the record, including the technical analysis that OET compiles.” FERC raised concerns about utilities sharing the 6 GHz band with Wi-Fi (see 1912190082).

The FCC auction of 3,400 MHz in the 37, 39 and 47 GHz bands brought in the highest bids of any high-band auction, at just more than $7.5 billion. But prices per MHz/POP for the 37 and 39 GHz bands are lower than the previous auctions, which offered much less spectrum, and much lower for the 47 GHz band. Auction watchers told us Friday more will be known about how industry views high-band for 5G when it’s revealed what AT&T and Verizon did in the auction. The auction closed for the day Friday at $7.5 billion after 86 rounds.

Likely marquee items for the 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference will include space-to-space satellite links, and big mobile and satellite industry focus on the 6 GHz band, U.S. WRC delegates said at an FCBA event Thursday. Boeing Global Spectrum Management Vice President Audrey Allison said as spectrum use increases, such issues are becoming more contentious.

Former NTIA Administrator David Redl and his consulting firm Salt Point Strategies have been lobbying on behalf of Facebook, he said in a registration filing. Redl reported he’s been lobbying for the social media platform since the beginning of October on the 6 GHz band. Facebook is among the tech sector entities that urged the FCC to allow sharing of that frequency for unlicensed Wi-Fi use (see 1911060046). Salt Point Strategies separately reported $90,000 in lobbying income from Facebook, which is thus far its only registered client. Facebook didn’t comment. Redl resigned as NTIA head in May (see 1905090051).

The Wi-Fi Alliance met an aide to Chairman Ajit Pai and Office of Engineering and Technology staff on the importance of the 6 GHz band. "The Wi-Fi ecosystem is ready to support the growing demand for wireless connectivity and new applications, but lacks the necessary spectrum capacity,” the alliance said in docket 18-295, posted Tuesday. Also that day, Commissioner Mike O'Rielly said such an FCC item may be forthcoming soon (see 2001210028).

As the U.S. explores allowing unlicensed devices to share the 6 GHz band, the U.K.’s Ofcom Friday sought comment by March 20 on 6 GHz issues. Ofcom proposes to “make the lower 6 GHz band (5925-6425 MHz) available for Wi-Fi. The release of this spectrum would enable also very low power outdoor use. This would improve performance by reducing congestion in existing bands caused by large numbers of devices and enable the development of new, higher bandwidth applications.” Ofcom also proposed removing dynamic frequency selection requirements from Wi-Fi channels in the 5.8 GHz band. “Ofcom’s announcement confirms that regulators around the world are focused on delivering Wi-Fi spectrum capacity in the 6 GHz band, which is urgently needed to support the growing demand for wireless connectivity,” said Alex Roytblat, Wi-Fi Alliance senior director-regulatory affairs.