Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks, Public Knowledge and tribal groups slammed the FCC’s 30-day delay of the application window for tribes to apply for 2.5 GHz spectrum, after staff acted Friday (see 2007310027). With COVID-19 a problem in tribal areas, groups had asked for an extra six months, but got until Sept. 2. T-Mobile, the dominant player in the band, told the FCC it was comfortable with a 90-day extension (see 2007300052). The order said 229 applications have been submitted and another 55 applications started by tribal entities as of Friday.

FCC hires Tom Struble from R Street Institute as legal adviser, Office of Engineering and Technology ... With Trustworthy Accountability Group and Joint Industry Committee for Web Standards combining, Internet Advertising Bureau chief Mike Zaneis will be CEO for the combined organization, to be called TAG, while Jicwebs' Jules Kendrick is managing director-U.K. and Europe; deal to be completed in September ... David Lieber from Google says he joins TikTok public policy team to work on privacy; company doesn't comment further.

FCC hires Tom Struble from R Street Institute as legal adviser, Office of Engineering and Technology ... With Trustworthy Accountability Group and Joint Industry Committee for Web Standards combining, Internet Advertising Bureau chief Mike Zaneis will be CEO for the combined organization, to be called TAG, while Jicwebs' Jules Kendrick is managing director-U.K. and Europe; deal to be completed in September ... Michigan Public Service Commission's liaison with the state legislature Reka Holley now also tribal liaison ... David Lieber from Google says he joins TikTok public policy team to work on privacy; company doesn't comment further.

T-Mobile doesn’t oppose a 90-day extension of Monday’s 2.5 GHz rural tribal priority application window, but the FCC should remember it's already actively deploying services in the band, said a filing posted Thursday in docket 18-120. “It is important that grant of the pending requests not delay action necessary to auction the remaining 2.5 GHz spectrum for commercial use,” the carrier said: “While T-Mobile has begun to deploy 2.5 GHz spectrum for 5G services, currently unlicensed spectrum should be available to provide broadband services and not continue to lie fallow.” Some support a six-month extension (see 2007230040).

FCC staff extended by a month an opportunity for tribes to file 2.5 GHz applications, until Sept. 2. That's less than the three additional months some sought.

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).

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).

Dozens supported a proposal the FCC extend the Aug. 3 2.5 GHz rural tribal priority application window deadline (see 2007220021). The agency “declared broadband is needed ‘for every facet of daily life,’” the groups said in a filing posted Thursday in docket 18-120: “However, less than half of housing units on rural Tribal lands have access to broadband. … Unfortunately, approximately 80% of eligible Tribes will not be able to take advantage of this spectrum unless the FCC extends the deadline.” Access Humboldt, Access Now, the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, Common Cause, First Nations Development Institute, Free Press, Incompas, Internet Society, Media Alliance, Mobile Beacon, National Hispanic Media Coalition, Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition, National Tribal Telecommunications Association and United Church of Christ were among signers.

Dozens supported a proposal the FCC extend the Aug. 3 2.5 GHz rural tribal priority application window deadline (see 2007220021). The agency “declared broadband is needed ‘for every facet of daily life,’” the groups said in a filing posted Thursday in docket 18-120: “However, less than half of housing units on rural Tribal lands have access to broadband. … Unfortunately, approximately 80% of eligible Tribes will not be able to take advantage of this spectrum unless the FCC extends the deadline.” Access Humboldt, Access Now, the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, Common Cause, First Nations Development Institute, Free Press, Incompas, Internet Society, Media Alliance, Mobile Beacon, National Hispanic Media Coalition, Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition, National Tribal Telecommunications Association and United Church of Christ were among signers.

Senate Communications Subcommittee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., and other lawmakers expressed interest Thursday in pursuing legislation and other solutions to address what they see as a dysfunctional relationship between the FCC and other federal agencies on spectrum management. Thune later told us Capitol Hill is unlikely to address the issue this Congress given the dwindling legislative calendar. FCC approval of Ligado’s L-band plan wasn’t directly mentioned despite earlier expectations (see 2007220066).