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.

Tech companies urged the FCC to let Wi-Fi share the 6 GHz band. Cisco, Google, HP Enterprise, Microsoft and Qualcomm representatives met aides to Commissioners Brendan Carr and Geoffrey Starks, said a filing posted Friday in docket 18-295. "Quickly resolve any outstanding issues in a manner consistent with our previous advocacy and" issue an order "for unlicensed use throughout the band,” they asked. Meanwhile, in meetings with aides to Carr and Starks, iRobot said a proposal to “introduce Wi-Fi in the 6 GHz band at the power levels being discussed in this proceeding would render ultra-wide band devices inoperable due to the interference that would be caused,” the company said: The 2 billion UWB devices in use are "estimated to increase to 3.1 billion by 2025.”

Data in a December NAB filing on unlicensed use of the 6 GHz band includes errors and reaches inapplicable conclusions (see 1912060007), wrote tech and consumer electronics companies including Apple, Cisco, Facebook, Google, Intel and Microsoft, posted Wednesday in FCC docket 18-295: NAB studied power levels “400 percent higher than appropriate." The tech interests only request indoor use of the band, but the study includes information about outdoor devices, the filing said. NAB also doesn’t account for frequency coordination, the tech interests said. “These important factors have caused NAB to overestimate the risk of harmful interference by more than 30 dB, and likely more.” The association didn't comment.

FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel warned the Senate Commerce Committee Wednesday the U.S. isn’t leading the world on 5G and can’t without more mid-band spectrum. Rosenworcel asked the committee to develop C-band legislation. Commissioner Mike O’Rielly said the FCC isn’t necessarily behind, though a winner won’t be known for some time.

Seven critical infrastructure groups warned of harmful interference from unlicensed operations without automatic frequency control in the 6 GHz band. The Edison Electric Institute, American Gas Association, American Public Power Association, American Water Works Association, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Nuclear Energy Institute and Utilities Technology Council submitted the FCC report. They said in docket 18-295 that members' “continued, unimpeded access is paramount.”

NARUC leaders urged FCC commissioners to delay sharing 6 GHz frequencies with unlicensed devices including for Wi-Fi until automatic frequency coordination can be proven to ward off interference. “Radiofrequency interference to these mission-critical communications systems in the 6 GHz band risks causing interruptions of the delivery of essential energy and water services as well as the loss of communications with railroad positive train control systems and police, fire and rescue operations,” NARUC President Brandon Presley and Telecom Committee Chair Karen Charles Peterson wrote all five members in a Thursday letter emailed to us the next day. NARUC passed a resolution on that subject in November (see 1911210011).

LAS VEGAS -- This year will be one of “execution” on making more spectrum available for 5G and Wi-Fi, FCC Commissioner Mike O’Rielly said in an interview at CES. O’Rielly and Commissioners Geoffrey Starks and Brendan Carr spoke on a panel, after remarks by Chairman Ajit Pai. Pai wasn’t asked about and didn’t provide any additional details on the 6 GHz band or C band (see 2001070054).

LAS VEGAS -- FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said Tuesday the U.S. will lead in 5G. He didn’t offer any update on when the FCC would act on the C band for licensed and 6 GHz for unlicensed use. Pai said the FCC is evaluating the latter band and plans action this year. FTC Chairman Joe Simons called for a new federal privacy law, noting that the FTC must use one that's 100 years old. As is the tradition at CES, both answered questions in a sit-down with CTA President Gary Shapiro.

LAS VEGAS -- New technologies and apps are creating excitement among manufacturers and other businesses, said CTA Vice President-Research Steve Koenig during an annual trends to watch presentation Sunday. “It’s not because it’s cool and fun,” he said: “It’s because it’s a very competitive marketplace, and businesses around the world are looking for an edge. Technology provides that.”

The FCC is moving forward to clear spectrum in the 3.7-4.2 GHz C band for 5G and to take other actions to speed deployment, as leadership changes at other agencies raise questions about whether spectrum policy disarray continues elsewhere in President Donald Trump's administration. Trump recently moved Robert Blair from the State Department to oversee the administration’s 5G push under National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow (see 1912240015). Blair is the latest in a line of advisers to fill that role.