The Wireless Innovation Forum submitted to the FCC recommendations for public trials and demonstrations as part of an approval of automated frequency coordination systems in the 6 GHz band. The proposal is modeled on TV white space coordination. The forum proposed 30 days for trial, followed by seven days for the public to comment and then seven days for AFC system operators to respond. Potential AFC operators would have to provide the interface for the trial or use an “AFC System Public Testing Portal,” said the report, posted Friday in docket 18-295. 6 GHz AFC is less complicated than the white spaces, the report argues, since there are fewer FCC databases and “no requirements for testing manual entry of incumbent data.” The demonstration could “run concurrently with Public Trial” with a “suggested duration” of 30 days.

The 2.5 GHz auction was “an undisputed win” for T-Mobile (see 2209010060), Sasha Javid, BitPath chief operating officer, said in an analysis posted Friday. “T-Mobile spent $304 million to acquire 7,156 licenses covering by my estimates over 93% of the available POPs in this auction and over 67% of the nationwide POPs (including territories),” he said: “T-Mobile won licenses with an average depth over 100 MHz in each county. It also picked up most licenses in the 25 largest counties. … Better yet, T-Mobile paid only $0.014 per MHz-POP, or roughly $0.06 when you only consider the unencumbered MHz-POPs.” Javid said Verizon, not Dish Network as some speculated at the time (see 2208080061), was the bidder that shed demand in round six. “Verizon had over $56 million in processed demand in Round 5 before dropping substantially to just $1.5 million in Round 6,” he said: “Maybe one day, someone will explain what Verizon's strategy was in this auction. My suspicion is that they realized early that they could be stuck with unwanted licenses so their goal of driving up prices for T-Mobile was too risky.” AT&T not bidding wasn’t a surprise, Javid said, noting he thought Dish would “dabble” since prices were so low. “I guess even [Chairman] Charlie Ergen is feeling the pressure of those build out deadlines for DISH's existing spectrum assets,” he said.

The National Spectrum Management Association urged the FCC to require real-world tests, using 6 GHz devices, before further liberalizing rules for the band (see 2207060036). “Due in part to an increasingly complex spectrum management environment the public has been made increasingly aware of potential systemic failures involving large-scale systems that rely on fail-safe spectrum management,” said a filing posted Wednesday in docket 18-295: “It is time to ensure the future operations of 6 GHz mission-critical systems will be undeniably proven safe.” NSMA noted an audit of the FCC Universal Licensing System found the “vast majority” of licensed 6 GHz systems “are mission-critical.”

On one of the big spectrum inquiries of the summer, most commenters agreed the FCC can do more to address spectrum offshore needs, though there was little consensus on what the agency should do. One big area of disagreement is the role unlicensed should have. Replies were due Friday on a notice of inquiry commissioners approved 4-0 in June (see 2206080055) and most were posted Monday in docket 22-204. In initial comments, carriers urged caution (see 2207280032).

Backers of a bid to fully fund the FCC’s Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program believe appropriations legislation, including a likely continuing resolution to extend federal payments past Sept. 30, is the most viable vehicle for formally allocating the additional money, due to concerns about delayed action on the House-passed (see 2207280052) Spectrum Innovation Act (HR-7624). Senate Commerce Committee leaders are grappling during the August recess with how to respond to HR-7624, which would allocate some proceeds from a proposed auction of the 3.1-3.45 GHz band for rip and replace reimbursements, given disagreements on spectrum policy priorities (see 2208090001).

Southern Co. countered arguments NCTA made in February, questioning a report from the utility company on the threat from low-power indoor (LPI) unlicensed devices to electric utility operations in the 6 GHz band (see 2202240042). “NCTA continues to rely on flawed, undisclosed simulations built on assumptions that defy reasonable engineering standards … and are inconsistent with real-world Wi-Fi and fixed microwave operations,” said a Southern filing, posted Wednesday in docket 18-295. “NCTA and other proponents of unlicensed LPI operations refuse to recognize that field testing of FCC-certified, off-the-shelf, commercially available LPI devices operating under real-world conditions demonstrates that such devices will cause harmful interference to licensed fixed microwave systems in the 6 GHz band, including those -- such as Southern’s licensed microwave systems -- which are critical to ensuring the reliability and resilience of our Nation’s energy infrastructure.”

NCTA, and CableLabs, encouraged the FCC “to act promptly” to address remaining questions on automated frequency coordination (AFC) operators in the 6 GHz band, in a call with Office of Engineering and Technology staff. “Implementing a measured and reasonable increase in low-power indoor (LPI) power limits and facilitating the introduction of AFC-controlled operations are crucial steps toward a future of next-generation Wi-Fi that meets the growing need for higher speeds and robust coverage,” said a filing posted Tuesday in docket 18-295. “Because Wi-Fi continues to serve as the primary onramp to the Internet for the majority of broadband connections [in] the country, adopting the … proposed LPI power limits would benefit not only American consumers and businesses, but also educational institutions, healthcare facilities, public transportation, among others.”

Encina Communications representatives spoke with FCC Wireless Bureau staff on the company’s proposal to use Part 101 frequency coordination procedures as an alternative to automated frequency coordination in the 6 GHz band, said a filing posted Monday in docket 18-295. Encina said approval would mean the immediate “safe deployment” of Wi-Fi 6E hot spots.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel welcomed the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit’s decision upholding the agency’s 2020 5.9 GHz order (see 2208120035). “In the more than two decades since the FCC allocated the 5.9 GHz band to support automobile safety, autonomous and connected vehicles have largely moved beyond dedicated, short-range communications technologies to newer, market-driven alternatives,” Rosenworcel said Friday: The decision "recognizes that by allowing this spectrum to evolve we can advance newer safety technologies and grow our wireless economy.” Michael Calabrese, director of the Wireless Future Program at New America, noted the court reached a similar decision on the 6 GHz band. “Unsurprisingly, the D.C. Circuit reinforced its similar decision last December that the FCC has wide discretion to authorize unlicensed sharing of underutilized spectrum or even, in this case, to reallocate a portion of a lightly-used band to provide more bandwidth for next generation Wi-Fi,” Calabrese emailed: “Since Chairwoman Rosenworcel was a driving force behind the FCC’s unanimous 5-0 votes to authorize unlicensed use of both the 5.9 and 6 GHz bands, consumer advocates expect she will now move quickly to complete both proceedings and maintain the U.S. position as the global leader in Wi-Fi technologies.”

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upheld the FCC’s 2020 5.9 GHz order Friday, allocating 45 MHz of the band for Wi-Fi and 30 MHz for cellular vehicle-to-everything technology, in a win for the agency. As the court did in December on the 6 GHz order (see 2112280047), judges clarified in strong language that the FCC has significant discretion in spectrum decisions. ITS America and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials brought the case, which was argued in January (see 2201250066).