Tech companies told the FCC it should reject reconsideration petitions from CTIA, Verizon and the Fixed Wireless Communications Coalition seeking changes to 6 GHz rules, approved 5-0 in April (see 2004230059). Other comments divided on what the FCC should do. Oppositions were posted Thursday in docket 18-295. “None presents any argument that would justify altering the carefully reasoned decisions in the Commission’s order,” said Apple, Broadcom, Cisco, Facebook, Google, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Intel, Microsoft, Qualcomm and Ruckus Networks: “Most of the petitions merely repeat arguments already raised in the proceeding that the Commission explicitly rejected.” New America’s Open Technology Institute said similar. “The conclusions the Commission reached in its 6 GHz Report and Order were both well-reasoned and based on an extensive record,” the group said. The petitions “seek to delay or disrupt unlicensed access to this critical spectrum and all the innovation it has the potential to unleash,” said NCTA. “The sharp increase in fixed bandwidth demand resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic illustrates the importance of spectrum to better enable distance learning and teleworking and the importance of interference-free wireless backhaul links,” said the Wireless ISP Association. “Bare disagreement with the Commission’s conclusions -- without demonstrating any flaws in the Commission’s rationale for reaching those conclusions -- is insufficient grounds for granting reconsideration,” the Wi-Fi Alliance said. Southern Co. supported FWCC’s complaints. “The Commission relied upon hypothetical simulations, rather than actual field testing, to reach a determination that unlicensed use of the 6 GHz band would not cause harmful interference to primary, licensed incumbent operations,” the utility said: “Preliminary bench tests and field tests using the parameters established in the Report & Order have already raised concerns about potential harmful interference to licensed microwave systems.” The Utilities Technology Council backed the FWCC. “Interference must be prevented before it occurs, not after the fact because it will be far too late to undo the damage that could result," UTC said. Nokia supported higher power levels urged by Verizon.

Nokia supported a Verizon reconsideration petition seeking higher power levels for some unlicensed operations in the 6 GHz band (see 2006260066). “Nokia supports more robust technical parameters that facilitate 5G services, subject to” automated frequency coordination, said a Wednesday filing coming in docket 18-295. “Nokia has been extremely active in this proceeding, submitting several technical studies and advocating to reach a result that will support new robust unlicensed operations while protecting critical incumbent Fixed Service use."

Disagreements continued as the FCC took replies on a Further NPRM on the 6 GHz band, approved 5-0 in April (see 2004230059). Wi-Fi proponents lined up against groups like NAB and APCO, concerned about protecting existing spectrum use (see 2006300042). Replies were due Monday in docket 18-295 on proposals to permit very low-power devices to operate across 6 GHz, increase the power at which low-power indoor (LPI) access points may operate and other changes. NAB and electric utilities went to court (see 2007270067).

The Utilities Technology Council, American Public Power Association and National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Monday asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to overturn the FCC’s April order opening up the 6 GHz spectrum band for unlicensed use. “Utilities and public safety entities use the 6 GHz band for mission-critical communications,” UTC said in a news release. “Despite numerous reports and submissions demonstrating the need for the FCC to act deliberately and carefully,” the FCC “approved an aggressive plan that will allow millions of new devices into the 6 GHz band without any proof or evidence that existing critical-infrastructure and public-safety communications will not be disrupted,” UTC said. Some other groups are also challenging the rules (see 2007240061).

The FCC 6 GHz order opening the band to Wi-Fi and other unlicensed use (see 2004230059) doesn't protect all the various licensed users in the band, especially TV broadcasters, NAB said in a petition for review Friday. It asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to vacate and enjoin the order. The FCC didn't comment. APCO, which petitioned for reconsideration of the order (see 2005280047), told the FCC Friday it was dropping its recon petition (docket 18-295). APCO didn't comment further.

A Thursday Senate Communications Subcommittee hearing on the FCC and NTIA roles in spectrum policymaking is likely to at least partially focus on the dispute between the two agencies over Ligado’s L-band plan, lawmakers and officials said in interviews. The hearing is also likely to be a venue for lawmakers to address other related policy matters, including FCC disputes with other federal agencies on the 24 GHz auction and other frequencies, and bids to allocate proceeds from the coming auction of spectrum on the 3.7-4.2 GHz C band, lobbyists said. The panel begins at 10 a.m. in 253 Russell (see 2007160054).

NATOA and other state and local government groups said localities need more support from the FCC in addressing residents' RF concerns, in replies to a December NPRM (see 1912040036). CTIA noted wireless devices are safe for all consumers based on FCC rules. CTA said regulators should use a flexible approach and address wireless power transfer (WPT) as it considers new RF rules. Replies are posted through Tuesday in docket 19-226.

Encina Communications Chairman Michael Mulcay described the risks its facilities face of harmful interference from unlicensed use of 6 GHz spectrum, in a call with acting Chief Ron Repasi and other FCC Office of Engineering and Technology staff. Encina sought reconsideration of the April 6 FCC 6 GHz order, rejected by OET as filed too late (see 2007130017). Interference at the sites “would cause irreparable harm, especially since there is no meaningful mechanism in the Report & Order to mitigate the interference,” Encina said in a filing posted Friday in docket 18-295.

Stay the April 6 GHz order, which remains a threat to public safety communications, APCO said in a Friday filing in FCC docket 18-295. Radio local area network proponents recently invited stakeholders to participate in talks on establishing a multistakeholder group to oversee interference problems, apparently with encouragement from the FCC, APCO said: The group is “unlikely to resolve the important issues of how to detect and mitigate interference from standard-power and low-power devices.” Wi-Fi proponents are “exploiting the coronavirus pandemic to argue for increasing unlicensed spectrum, rather than recognizing that the pandemic is straining public safety agencies and will have long-term impacts (such as exacerbating budgetary constraints) that will make interference to 6 GHz systems harder to address and more detrimental to their life-saving missions,” the group said. In May, APCO sought reconsideration (see 2005280047).

The agency will act on an order changing the allocation of the 5.9 GHz band “certainly by the end of the year,” Chairman Ajit Pai answered our query in speaking with the media. Commissioner Mike O’Rielly said he’s not sure why an order isn’t on the Aug. 6 agenda. “I don’t think we’re that far away,” he said in response to our question: “A month or two here or there doesn’t cause me that much concern.” The FCC is expected to reallocate the band in coming months, with 45 MHz set aside for unlicensed use (see 2004300032). “I’m very excited about the potential for the 5.9 GHz band,” though he hasn’t reached a decision yet, Commissioner Brendan Carr said. “We kind of let 5.9 sit out there for a long time,” he said: “I’m glad that it’s on the table and that we’re working on it.”