Broadcom filed at the FCC a new analysis of the interference risk of very-low-power operations in the 6 GHz band to electronic newsgathering operations. The analysis focused on VLP interactions with truck-mounted ENG receivers. “This analysis confirms that the risk of harmful interference from a VLP device to such a receiver is insignificant even when using conservative assumptions,” said a filing posted Tuesday in docket 18-295. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel is expected to seek a vote an order on revised rules for the 6 GHz band, focused on VLP operations, in coming months (see 2308070060). “Because VLP devices are itinerant, any such VLP device would be very likely to be transported away from that area as quickly as it entered, making even the worst-case impact we examine small,” Broadcom said: “ENG operators also have the capability to optimize their link conditions by, for example, reducing the distance between the transmitter and receiver, elevating the receiver above clutter, or adjusting transmit power levels.”

Tech company representatives filed a letter addressing concerns raised by FCC Office of Engineering and Technology staff on studies from February on interference risk to electronic newsgathering in the 6 GHz band by very-low-power (VLP) applications (see 2302100031). “The Commission determined in the 6 GHz Order that low-power indoor (LPI) access points do not pose a significant risk of harmful interference to fixed service links,” said a filing posted Monday in docket 18-295: “The record in this proceeding, most notably two separate robust Monte Carlo analyses, demonstrates that VLP devices similarly will not pose a significant risk of harmful interference to FS links.” Links between ENG transmitters and central receive sites “differ from FS links in one key respect that make them even less vulnerable to harmful interference: These links can be adjusted to account for local conditions,” the filing said. The companies signing the letter were Apple, Broadcom, Google and Meta Platforms.

Groups representing 6 GHz incumbents opposed a recent waiver request by Extreme Networks of FCC rules for low-power indoor devices for 6 GHz access points (APs), to be installed exclusively in indoor-only sports venues. The company wants to protect the APs with a waterproof enclosure “to protect the devices from beverage spills and during venue washing,” said a July 21 waiver request (see 2308010074). “Extreme has reasonable alternatives,” the incumbents said in a filing posted Friday in docket 23-282: “Whatever the perceived benefits of 6 GHz Wi-Fi, it is not the only band available for the use case described by Extreme. Multiple vendors, including Extreme, sell a variety of equipment providing Wi-Fi capability in various bands with no prohibition against being weatherized. Denial of the Waiver Request will not deprive fans of Internet access in sports venues.” The filing was signed by the Utilities Technology Council, the Edison Electric Institute, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, APCO and the Enterprise Wireless Alliance.

The FCC Wireless Bureau said Wednesday the FCC’s universal licensing system will now accept applications for temporary fixed stations in parts of the 6 GHz band. The eventual launch was discussed in the FCC’s 2020 order opening the band for unlicensed use and comes as automated frequency coordination (AFC) systems start testing as they seek final approval (see 2308250061). “Certain licensees in the 6 GHz band must register their temporary fixed stations in ULS before commencing operations to enable” AFC systems “to account for these operations when providing channel information to 6 GHz unlicensed standard power-devices,” the bureau said in docket 18-295.

The Inter-American Telecommunications Commission (CITEL) meeting last week endorsed the U.S. position for the upper 6 GHz band, approving “no change” to allow international mobile telecommunications (IMT) in the band at the upcoming World Radio Communication conference, industry officials said. But a few nations sided with China's position of China, which the U.S. opposes, to approve a future agenda item on the topic at the WRC in 2027.

Federated Wireless and Comsearch notified the FCC they're launching portals for public tests of their 6 GHz automated frequency coordination (AFC) systems (see 2308300018), in letters posted Friday in docket 21-352. Federated said its portal will open Thursday. Comsearch promised a Sept. 8 opening.

Southern Co, told the FCC fade margins are critical to protecting 6 GHz operations, in response to questions from the Office of Engineering and Technology. “Unlicensed parties have consistently misunderstood the purpose of a fixed microwave system’s fade margin,” the utility said in a filing Thursday in docket 18-295: “In short, a microwave system is subject to fading due to changing conditions in the atmosphere. … Any reduction of the fade margin can significantly affect the performance and reliability of a fixed microwave link. Degradation of the fade margin that does not cause an immediate outage of the link would nevertheless be harmful interference because it makes the fixed microwave system more vulnerable to outage from fades that it could otherwise withstand.”

The FCC has all the information it needs to approve operation of very-low-power devices in the 6 GHz band, a tech company representative told an aide to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “The record demonstrates that [radio local access network] interactions with fixed Broadcast Auxiliary Service receivers were similar to interactions with [fixed service] receivers, but that fixed BAS receivers are typically located in even higher and less accessible locations than FS receivers,” said a filing posted Friday in docket 18-295: “The risk of harmful interference to vehicle-mounted [electronic newsgathering] receivers was insignificant at power levels discussed in the record.” The filing was by HWG’s Paul Margie, counsel to Apple, Broadcom, Google and Meta Platforms.

Wireless carriers don't have much apparent interest in the 42 GHz band, to judge from comments posted Thursday in response to a June NPRM. New America’s Open Technology Institute and Public Knowledge were enthusiastic about the possibilities. Comments were due Wednesday in docket 23-158.

Qualcomm and Broadcom notified the FCC they're opening portals for public tests of their 6 GHz automated frequency coordination (AFC) systems. The letters, posted Wednesday in docket 21-352, come less than a week after the Office of Engineering and Technology authorized a process for testing the systems (see 2308250061). Qualcomm, already approved as an AFC operator in Canada (see 2308230060), said its portal is already open. “The public can test Qualcomm’s AFC system by registering for a free account at the Public Trial Portal by clicking on the ‘REGISTER’ link,” Qualcomm said. Broadcom said its AFC portal will open Tuesday. The Wi-Fi Alliance told the FCC Wednesday its AFC system will be available for public trial via an internet-based test portal starting Sept. 6. The FCC had not yet posted the alliance's filing.