The Fixed Wireless Communications Coalition asked the FCC to change its draft 6 GHz order to better reflect the interference risk from uncontrolled devices in the band, as lobbying continues before commissioners vote next Thursday (see 2004020073). "Portions" are "erroneous based on the undisputed record and would therefore be subject to reversal on appeal,” said a filing posted Tuesday in docket 18-295: “Some modifications” would “better serve the Commission’s purposes without upsetting the Commission’s overall regulatory scheme.” The NFL, which uses ultra-wideband, asked for the ability to register its stadiums within the automated frequency control system. The league said it's not seeking a change to the draft rules to provide additional protection for UWB, which it has sought in the past. AT&T spoke with aides to Chairman Ajit Pai and Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel on its concerns about indoor operations without AFC (see here and here).

Carriers will lead the bidding in the July citizens broadband radio service band auction, but questions remain about the COVID-19 pandemic's effect on credit markets, said Joe Madden, chief analyst at Mobile Experts. The FCC delayed the auction for a month to July 23 (see 2003250052). Speakers Tuesday said another delay isn’t likely.

The National Spectrum Management Association wants a more comprehensive survey of how 6 GHz is used before opening the swath for sharing with Wi-Fi and other unlicensed users, it told the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology staff. Commissioners vote April 23 (see 2004100047). “Especially during this time when the nation is heavily reliant on these exact mission-critical networks … it is a requirement that well-known, actual-deployment, spectrum management tests be conducted well prior to confirming rules,” the group said in a filing posted Monday in docket 18-295. Comcast said the FCC is too conservative here, with the record showing low-power indoor use at radiated power spectral density of 8 dBm/MHz won't cause harmful interference. But it said “the Draft Order imposes a lower 5 dBm/MHz PSD limit based solely on an unsupported assertion that an 8 dBm/MHz limit would result in a ‘materially higher risk of harmful interference.’” The cable provider spoke with aides to Commissioners Mike O’Rielly, Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks. AT&T said the agency goes too far and should require automated frequency control for all unlicensed devices. Allowing “low power indoor devices to operate without such a capability would be reckless, irresponsible, and unlawful,” AT&T told aides to O’Rielly and Starks (see here and here). Tech companies sought clarity. “Clarify that client device and subordinate access point power limits are based on the regulatory limits of the access point to which they are associated to align them with the text of the order and avoid creating an incentive to increase the power of access point transmissions,” they said: “Limiting client device power based on the actual transmit power of the associated access point would encourage access points to use maximum power.” Apple, Broadcom, Cisco, Facebook and Google were among filing signers. Broadcom separately sought additional OET clarity.

APCO asked the FCC to delay allowing unlicensed devices to share 6 GHz, set for a commissioner vote April 23 (see 2004020066). “The Order fails to address several fundamental issues, including basic measures to prevent and promptly eliminate harmful interference,” APCO said: “This likely stems from a pattern of the proponents of expanding unlicensed use … blindly pushing for more spectrum while ignoring the real-world consequences to public safety agencies.” NAB also objected, in calls with aides to the commissioners other than Chairman Ajit Pai, and with Office of Engineering and Technology staff. “In the face of a public health emergency and an evolving economic crisis, it has rarely been more critical to ensure that the nation’s broadcasters have [news] tools they need,” NAB said: “One of the most important of those tools is spectrum necessary to cover news events, including 6 GHz.” Southern Co. said uncontrolled low-power devices would “result in harmful interference to incumbent 6 GHz operations.” The FCC should approve the order as written, Intel CEO Bob Swan said in a call with Pai. Swan said the December C-band auction “will be an important enabler for new 5G deployments.” Filings were posted Friday in docket 18-295.

The Wireless ISP Association asked FCC Office of Engineering and Technology staff for tweaks to a draft order allowing unlicensed devices to share the 6 GHz band. Commissioners vote April 23 (see 2004020066). WISPs welcome the plan to allow standard power outdoor use, with automated frequency control (AFC), in 850 MHz, said a filing posted Thursday in docket 18-295. WISPA suggested making clear access point “is not technology-specific.” Among proposed changes for a Further NPRM, “seek comment on allowing higher powered operation under AFC control" and on accounting for directional antennas, WISPA asked. Berkshire Hathaway Energy amplified "concerns by other utilities regarding the significant harm that interference to utility 6 GHz microwave links would have.” The utility said its links must “remain free of interference or RF saturation that will take away fade margin and ultimately compromise the reliability.” Encina Communications asked to allow operations only with AFC.

The scope of the digital divide exposed during COVID-19 is "an inflection point for action, and we need to seize it," FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said during a Brookings Institution webinar Wednesday. She applauded the ISPs that have taken the Keep Americans Connected pledge but said Americans shouldn't have to rely on industry generosity for internet access: "Having digital justice means getting everyone connected."

AT&T said proponents of uncontrolled devices in the 6 GHz band “bear the burden of proving that the introduction of such uses would not cause harmful interference to incumbent licensed operations.” AT&T representatives spoke with FCC Office of General Counsel staff, said a filing posted Tuesday in docket 18-295. “Not only have … proponents failed to meet their burden of proving the absence of harmful interference, the occurrence of harmful interference would be a statistical certainty,” AT&T said. Commissioners vote April 23 (see 2004060062).

CTIA questioned part of a draft 6 GHz order slated for an April 23 vote (see 2004020066) allowing sharing of the entire band by low-power devices indoors, in a filing posted Monday in docket 18-295. “There is no reasonable basis to conclude” such use “will comply with the fundamental tenet of FCC unlicensed policy -- namely, that unlicensed operations are unequivocally barred from causing harmful interference to authorized stations like 6 GHz fixed service licensees,” CTIA said: There are almost 100,000 U.S. FS links.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said Monday the agency will move as quickly as it can to allow outdoor use of the 6 GHz band by very low-power devices. Pai told incumbents the FCC has fully vetted their concerns, speaking on a webinar hosted by New America’s New Technology Institute and the Taxpayers Protection Alliance. Pai circulated the draft last week for a vote at the April 23 commissioners’ meeting (see 2004020066).

The Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council asked the FCC to act on a proposal to open the 6 GHz band for sharing with Wi-Fi and other unlicensed use (see 2004020066). “The COVID-19 pandemic has shined a harsh light on the impact that disparity in access has on lower-income and minority groups who are on the wrong side of the digital divide,” the group said in a filing posted Friday in docket 18-295. “The perils of those on the wrong side of the digital divide can no longer be ignored.” The FCC is focused on protecting incumbents as it opens the band, Chairman Ajit Pai told Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii. “The Commission's technical experts in our Office of Engineering and Technology have spent considerable time reviewing the substantial record that has been compiled in this proceeding and meeting with interested stakeholders,” Pai said in a letter posted Friday. Commissioners vote April 23 on opening the band to Wi-Fi. Tech companies reported on calls with aides to the commissioners, except Pai. Apple, Broadcom, Cisco, Google, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Microsoft discussed “the importance of authorizing unlicensed use … for standard-power, low-power indoor, and very-low-power devices, at power levels that will successfully enable key use cases and applications.”