Apple representatives explained the company’s approach to a geofenced variable power (GVP) device class in the 6 GHz band and how its proposal differs from the FCC proposal for geofencing in the band (see 2407080024) during a meeting with top FCC Office of Engineering and Technology staff. “Our GVP proposal closely aligns with the FCC’s geofencing proposal but recommends a higher operating power limit,” said a filing posted Tuesday in docket 18-295. Apple proposes “two discrete power levels” at +1 dBm/MHz power spectral density (PSD) and +8 dBm/MHz PSD," both with an equivalent isotropically radiated power limit of 21 dBm. “We revised our initial dynamic power level proposal in response to the record to make the geofencing system even simpler,” the company said.

The FCC Wireless Bureau on Tuesday approved a January request by PTC-220 for authority to operate 76 positive train control radio base stations, using automated maritime telecommunications system spectrum covering the Northern Atlantic region. “Today’s action will enable PTC-220’s member railroads to deploy Congressionally-mandated, interoperable PTC and related (non-PTC) rail safety systems on rail lines serving 53 counties in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania,” the bureau said. Its order notes PTC-220 will use the upper portion of the spectrum block at 219.5-220 MHz, adjacent to its 220 MHz spectrum. PTC-220 member railroads “will use the AMTS spectrum to implement two additional PTC common channels, which will improve system reliability and safety,” the order said.

Anterix representatives spoke with an aide to FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr asking for action on a rulemaking authorizing 5/5 MHz broadband deployments in the 900 MHz band (see 2405210041). “The Petition is premised on the recommendation that all relocation from the current narrowband segments be on an entirely voluntary basis and that there be continued interference protection for incumbents,” said a filing posted Tuesday in docket 24-99.

AT&T said Monday Scott Agnew will replace the retiring Jim Bugel as president-FirstNet. Bugel retires Sept. 1. Agnew “will lead all areas of the FirstNet program, bringing with him over 25 years of experience in the telecommunications industry,” the carrier said. Agnew has been a longtime member of the FirstNet team, AT&T said, responsible for the integration of mission-critical push-to-talk with land mobile radio systems and leading efforts on coverage expansion solutions. Bugel “truly understood the importance of communications with public safety and helped to ensure that all first responders -- including telecommunicators -- were mission ready,” APCO CEO Mel Maier wrote in an email. More than 28,500 public safety agencies and organizations nationwide now use FirstNet, AT&T noted.

The FCC confirmed the Sept. 9 deadline for comments on a recent Wireless Bureau notice concerning the future of the 37 GHz band (see 2408090034) in a notice for Tuesday’s Federal Register. The goal is “informing the forthcoming report mandated by the National Spectrum Strategy (NSS) Implementation Plan,” the notice said: “The NSS identified the Lower 37 GHz band for in-depth study to determine how a co-equal, shared-use framework which allows Federal and non-federal operations should be implemented.” The final report, with findings, is set for completion in November.

Determining whether fixed wireless access is capacity-limited is “perhaps the most critical question hanging over the mobile and broadband sector in the US,” New Street’s Jonathan Chaplin said in a Monday note to investors. “If capacity is limited at 10-20%, then 80-90% of the broadband market remains a duopoly, with pricing power and high returns on invested capital, and assets will ultimately trade at higher multiples,” Chaplin wrote: If capacity isn’t limited “the broadband market is as competitive as wireless with no pricing power, and broadband assets deserve to trade at the 6-7x that they are trading at today. Cable subscriber growth won’t recover anytime soon, and some investments in fiber that are predicated on high and rising ARPU may prove to be a bust.”

Prepaid competition is heating up between Verizon and T-Mobile. On Thursday, T-Mobile’s Mint Mobile announced AT&T and Verizon customers can switch to the low-cost carrier “and get service for the rest of the family for free.” Switchers buy one line, starting at $15/month, and get up to four additional lines for free for three months. “At Mint, our mission is to right the wrongs of AT&T and Verizon … who have collectively raised prices 11 times in just the last year,” said Aron North, Mint chief marketing officer. Verizon’s Visible made a counteroffer on Friday, saying T-Mobile customers could receive a five-year rate guarantee at $15 per month, per line. “While Mint is promoting this short-term deal that won’t last, we want to give people looking for a better deal ongoing savings, service and value with no hidden fees, period,” said Nancy Clark, president of Verizon Value.

Spectrum for the Future (SFTF) encouraged the NTIA to focus on sharing as it examines the future of 6G, as the agency took comment as part of the national spectrum strategy (see 2408220043). “NTIA needs to approach the 6G ecosystem by looking beyond a single standard with a single deployment strategy,” SFTF said: “The reality of spectrum use and availability today, as well as in the future, compels spectrum policy to broaden its focus and embrace other coexistence standards and spectrum frameworks, like spectrum sharing.” Research shows that Wi-Fi handles 79% of AT&T’s mobile traffic, 77% of T-Mobile’s and 78% of Verizon’s. Like earlier generations, “6G networks will form only one part of a resilient and competitive wireless ecosystem.”

Filings continue at the FCC on the hotly contested issue of whether the FCC should grant the FirstNet Authority and AT&T effective control of the 4.9 GHz band (see 2408160027). The proposal for such from the Public Safety Spectrum Alliance (PSSA) generated filings from both sides. Giving FirstNet control “would strip today’s 4.9 GHz public safety licensees’ right to expand their systems by forcing incumbent licensees to surrender the spectrum they are not using,” Amesville, Ohio, Mayor Gary Goosman wrote in a filing posted Friday in docket 07-100. “It would permit AT&T to use the band for commercial purposes, which runs counter to the mission of this public safety band,” Goosman said. The Virginia Fire Chiefs Association disagreed. “The FirstNet Authority has proven it can effectively manage the public safety spectrum, as evidenced by the successful nationwide deployment of Band 14,” it said.

Representatives of CTIA and the major carriers urged the FCC to address an issue the agency raised on pole attachments in 2019, providing clarity that wireless providers have access to utility light poles (see 1911200033). CTIA met with Wireline Bureau staff, along with representatives of AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon. "Commission actions over the past several years to clarify the rights and responsibilities under the Communications Act, including for the Section 224 pole attachment framework, have helped enhance transparency and efficiencies in the siting process,” a filing posted Friday in docket 17-84 said. CTIA urged the commission to “seek ways to streamline infrastructure deployment and clarify the rights and obligations of pole owners and attachers, in order to reduce or eliminate deployment barriers that remain.”