CTIA urged the FCC to launch an additional NPRM to look at reserving the 6 GHz band's upper part for exclusive use licenses, while opening other parts for Wi-Fi and other unlicensed use. While many other commenters in docket 18-295 emphasized the importance of unlicensed spectrum and the need for mid-band alternatives, some 6 GHz incumbents said the FCC should drop the proposal completely, saying nothing it would mandate would eliminate the risk posed by widespread unlicensed use of the band. Comments were due midnight Friday.

Ultra Wide Band Alliance members met staff from the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology, including Chief Julius Knapp, on 6 GHz proceeding concerns. “Current proposed unlicensed broadband deployment, at the requested power levels, bandwidth, and [out-of-band emissions] would effectively render many UWB products, services and applications useless,” the alliance said, posted Friday in docket 17-183. “Consider mitigation solutions that will continue to allow for unlicensed UWB technologies to successfully coexist with incumbent users in the 6 GHz band and provide valuable functionality.” Comments were due Friday on an NPRM (see 1902150030). Representatives from Alteros, Bosch, DecaWave, iRobot and Zebra attended.

With a flood of comments expected, some nontraditional players have started to weigh in on an NPRM on unlicensed use of the 6 GHz band. Among them is an education-focused group in North Carolina and a group that builds new homes. Commissioners launched a rulemaking on Wi-Fi in the 6 GHz band in October (see 1810230038) and comments were due midnight Friday in docket 18-295.

Harris Wiltshire's Paul Margie spoke with William Davenport, new chief of staff to FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, on 6 GHz concerns of Apple and other companies he represents. Comments are due Friday in docket 18-295 on an NPRM commissioners approved in October (see 1810230038). Margie “expressed support for the NPRM’s framework, it’s recognition of the need for additional unlicensed frequencies, and the importance of FCC rules implementing this framework that would support the use of standard-power and lower-power devices throughout the band,” he filed, posted Thursday. Margie also represents Broadcom, Cisco, Facebook, Google, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Microsoft.

Baltimore County said the FCC should protect microwave systems operating in 6 GHz spectrum, as the agency explores new rules for mid-band spectrum. The county said it uses 22 6 GHz microwave paths for public safety communications. “If unlicensed devices are allowed in these frequency bands, the County urges the FCC to consider a practical implementation of an automated frequency control/coordination system, registration of devices as well as an accurate and timely listing of all 6 GHz systems in use and those included in the Prior Coordination Notice process,” it said in docket 17-183. “It would be very unfortunate if ... a multimillion dollar microwave system providing critical life safety radio traffic, is dependent upon low cost devices and users following the registration process.”

Wi-Fi advocates tell us that with the IoT growing daily, the FCC needs to act quickly to allocate other bands for unlicensed use, especially the 6 GHz band. A check of vendors at January's CES found the same dynamic as in previous years. Most devices rely on the same unlicensed bands, particularly 2.4 and 5.8 GHz. Wi-Fi exhaustion looms as an issue federal policymakers must address, Wi-Fi advocates said.

Any national spectrum strategy needs to try to promote more spectrum for unlicensed use, given the importance of Wi-Fi, and recognize fixed and mobile roles, NCTA noted it commented to NTIA. It seeks NTIA recommending the FCC open the 5.9 GHz band to unlicensed use and a cautious approach to opening up C band and 6 GHz bands that ensures incumbent operations -- such as cable industry use -- are protected. Earlier this week, NTIA released the comments, many submitted during the partial shutdown (see 1901300043). NCTA blogged Thursday that the optimal route “allows for these services to continue to expand as consumers’ demands for connectivity and TV increase."

The 3.5 GHz band citizens broadband radio service band potentially will give businesses a bigger role in shaping how wireless is used, said wireless adviser firm Senza Fili. The band could be the future of sharing, the report said. “Even heavily trafficked licensed cellular and unlicensed bands are not used at capacity throughout the footprint and throughout the day, especially as we move from high-density urban locations toward rural areas,” it said. “Even new technologies such as 5G and Wi-Fi 6 cannot keep up with the increase in traffic, from both human users and IoT applications, without access to new spectrum or better spectrum reuse. And this is where spectrum sharing and densification play a major role.” A Google panelist sought such sharing earlier this week (see 1901150043).

Bid commitments in the 28 GHz auction reached $690.7 million Monday, up from $690.3 million Friday, with provisionally winning bids on 2,938 of 3,072 licenses, FCC results show. The auction (see 1812280030) shifted to six rounds a day Monday, up from four Friday.

With 2019 dubbed the year of 5G and companies vying to compete in the new citizens broadband radio service and other bands, the federal shutdown comes at a bad time, industry officials said last week. Every cellphone, TV, computer or other device sold in the U.S. emits a unique RF signature and must be cleared by the FCC. With the agency mostly shuttered as of Thursday, those clearances can no longer take place.