FCC Announces 700 MHz Band Relicensing Process

Posted by npstc

The FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau released a public notice today announcing the process for relicensing 700 megahertz band spectrum in unserved areas. “We implement the Commission’s long-standing auto-termination process here, in combination with the additional filing procedures established below to address the failure of a licensee to make required filings,” the bureau said in the public notice in WT docket 06-150. “If a licensee does not file either a request for extension of time before the construction deadline or the required construction notification within 15 days after the construction deadline (as required by Section 1.946 of the Commission’s rules), we presume that the license has not been constructed or the coverage requirement has not been met.”

It also said that licensees “will be required to file an electronic coverage map that demarcates the geographic portion of the licensed area that the licensee will retain and the geographic area that will be returned to the Commission for reassignment” under the agency’s keep what you service rules. “Pursuant to the Commission’s rules, relicensing of unserved areas will occur through a two-phase application process, beginning with a 30-day Phase 1 filing window, followed by a Phase 2 rolling window for applications,” according to the public notice. “Applications for available unserved areas must be filed via ULS, and applicants must submit a shapefile describing the areas for which they seek a license.”

Courtesy TRDaily

Andy Seybold’s Public Safety Advocate, February 7, 2019

Posted by npstc

Sometimes it can be a real challenge to come up with a subject I think would be of interest to my readers. This week seems particularly difficult. FirstNet is humming along ahead of its required build-out for Band 14 while Verizon continues to run expensive commercials in an effort to prove to public safety that it is the best network. We all remember how Verizon throttled fire personnel and equipment during wildland fires in California but it continues its attempts to divide the public safety community between it and FirstNet. Even so, FirstNet growth in terms of new agencies added in only the last three months, it is clear that most departments understand FirstNet is the “Interoperable Public Safety Network” dedicated to first responders while other commercial carriers are simply that: commercial broadband carriers.

The FirstNet network was not thrust upon the public safety community by network operators though some were certainly supportive of the process. Rather, it was the public safety community itself that came together to walk the Halls of Congress, battle with those in the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) who did not believe public safety needed the additional spectrum known as the D Block, fight off both T-Mobile and Sprint, which at one point went as far as to put up a website to try to convince others that the spectrum should be auctioned as open to commercial networks. The public safety community, with assistance from then Vice President Joe Biden who was/is a staunch believer in public safety, fought for FirstNet from day one and it became THE public safety network.

this is not to say there are no detractors today, some of which have not become part of FirstNet and may not for a while. Several departments have balked at FirstNet (Built with AT&T) having a monthly data limit specified in its contract even though FirstNet has stated publicly that it will never throttle a public safety agency. It appears corporate AT&T requires the limit but FirstNet understands that under no circumstance can public safety be throttled, especially during an incident. This is one area that needs to be clarified so it does not keep more agencies from joining. Read the Entire Post Here. Continue reading →

Sprint Reports 800 MHz Rebanding Progress

Posted by npstc

In its latest report to the FCC on 800 megahertz rebanding progress, Sprint Corp. said that last month all retuning in NPSPAC spectrum was completed in the Southern California and San Antonio, Texas, regions. Sprint said that “all NPSPAC licensees across the entire United States, including all Border Areas[,] and territories have now retuned.”

“Additionally during the month of January, the County of San Bernardino California completed its 800 MHz retune. San Bernardino County is the largest county in the United States by area, and the County system was one of the largest retunes Sprint and public safety worked to complete during the length of this initiative. As a result of the County completing its retune, Sprint can finally report that all 800 MHz rebanding is complete in the Nevada NPSPAC Region – the forty-sixth NPSPAC Region to be completed,” the carrier said in its filing in WT docket 02-55.

Sprint added, “Currently only 9 of the 55 NPSPAC Regions remain incomplete, with only a handful of public safety licensees left located in only three of these remaining nine NPSPAC Regions (Southern California, El Paso – Texas and San Antonio – Texas). Overall, there are 18 total licensees remaining and only six of those eighteen remaining are public safety. One non-public safety licensee remains in the New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Dallas, Austin and Lubbock NPSPAC Regions. All public safety retuning is complete in these six non-Border area NPSPAC Regions,” Sprint added.- Paul Kirby, paul.kirby@wolterskluwer.com

Courtesy TRDaily

Andy Seybold’s Public Safety Advocate, January 31, 2019

Posted by npstc

FirstNet Integration. During the formation of FirstNet and then working with FirstNet to establish the goals of the network, it was always about fostering data and video services for public safety and to create a single, nationwide broadband network accessible to all public safety agencies including state and federal government agencies. After FirstNet became a reality and AT&T was awarded the contract to build and operate FirstNet for twenty-five years, forms of integration other than those included in the original FirstNet goals began being introduced and promoted.

The first deviation comes from those who have tested and approved more than thirty different vendors for providing Push-To-Talk (PTT) over public safety networks. As I have expressed before, my take is that this is too large a number of disparate vendors and applications. If they are all permitted access to the public safety broadband network, we will be reverting to the LMR non-interoperability days. Even with 3GPP standards in place and even if all thirty meet the standards, we all know that moving forward, each vendor will tweak its PTT product to gain an advantage. Regardless of the standard, this will result in chaos.

The second form of integration being discussed is from a broadband network operator that did not bid on the FirstNet RFP but feels it should now play a part so FirstNet will be interoperable across different broadband networks. This would mean sharing the FirstNet core, which is SOLELY for first responders and not part of a shared core as with the other network. Further, a second network would also bring about confusion in the pubic safety space and most likely create more interoperability issues than it would solve. I believe this because while 3GPP has standards and releases to update the standards, each network operator is still free to choose which upgrades to use within its network. Thus, it is very possible that over time there would develop yet another lack of interoperability.

The final type of integration is push-to-talk interoperability between Land Mobile Radio (LMR) networks and FirstNet (Built with AT&T). I have been asking for this for some time and now there is a committee tasked with developing a solution. I deem this as vitally important to the public safety community because if we can achieve this level of integration, anytime an outside agency is called in to assist at an incident, which happens often, the responding units can use PTT over FirstNet and the local LMR system will be able to hear them and respond to them with what is needed where. During the incident itself, there will be coordinated communications across the entire scene.

Read the Entire Post Here Continue reading →

Myriad of Parties Offer Views on National Spectrum Strategy

Posted by npstc

A myriad of parties have offered advice to the Trump administration on the development of a national spectrum strategy, including terrestrial wireless, cable, satellite, GPS, TV broadcaster, utility, and public safety entities. Among other things, entities stressed the importance of exclusive access to licensed spectrum, unlicensed channels, spectrum sharing, the protection of incumbents from interference, changes to the Spectrum Relocation Fund, transparency in how federal bands are being used, spectral efficiency, and a road map detailing when spectrum will be made available. They filed comments with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration in response to a request for comments released last month (TR Daily, Dec. 20, 2018).

President Trump signed a memorandum in October directing the executive branch to develop the national spectrum strategy and emphasizing the importance of efficient government spectrum use, spectrum sharing, and leading the world in 5G deployment (TR Daily, Oct. 25, 2018). Mr. Trump’s memo requires the secretary of Commerce, working through NTIA, and in consultation with Office of Management and Budget, the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the FCC, and other federal entities, to submit the national spectrum strategy to the president within 270 days.

NTIA is closed like the rest of the Commerce Department due to the partial federal government shutdown, but TR Daily received comments filed with NTIA in docket no. 181130999-8999-01 from the parties themselves.

“Fundamental to the Strategy should be the U.S. Government’s commitment to deliver substantial additional terrestrial spectrum for 5G, and on a clearly defined schedule,” CTIA argued in its comments. “History has shown that, where sufficient spectrum is available for wireless service, the private sector will invest billions of dollars to convert that raw material into innovative products and services that help consumers, create jobs, and grow the economy – and that opportunity will be even more profound with 5G. Yet today, terrestrial, flexible-use spectrum available for mobile wireless use is comprised of less than 6.5 gigahertz; by comparison, fixed (non-flexible use) allocations amount to nearly 23 gigahertz and satellite allocations cover nearly 30 gigahertz.”

CTIA asked the administration in the national spectrum strategy to adopt certain principles for spectrum management. “A top priority should be identifying and making available low-, mid-, and high-band spectrum for exclusive, licensed terrestrial use – more specifically, the U.S. Government should make available hundreds of megahertz of mid-band spectrum and thousands of megahertz of high-band spectrum for terrestrial wireless use in the near term – and licensees should be able to provide fixed, mobile, or both types of service.”

CTIA also called on the Trump administration to “develop and execute on a five-year action plan for FCC auctions of identified spectrum bands, and the Strategy should outline a process, consistent with the principles herein, to prepare for the next 10-15 years of wireless developments while also retaining flexibility to account for continued innovations.”

“While unlicensed spectrum plays – and will continue to play – a key part in meeting consumer demand, the Government should appropriately balance the allocation of licensed and unlicensed operations and ensure that any unlicensed spectrum regimes are technologically neutral and available for Wi-Fi, LTE-Unlicensed (‘LTE-U’), Licensed Assisted Access (‘LAA’), and all unlicensed technologies,” CTIA said. “In international fora, U.S. policy should support harmonization in key 5G bands, while maintaining flexibility in the ITU Radio Regulations when possible.”

In addition, the national spectrum strategy “should promote transparency and collaboration between Federal agencies and the commercial sector and should support use of the Spectrum Relocation Fund (‘SRF’) for exploring technology advancements that could facilitate the transition of Federal spectrum for commercial use,” according to CTIA, which added that “the Strategy must be vested with a sense of urgency. Many nations are vying to lead on 5G, and the United States cannot wait.” Continue reading →

Andy Seybold’s Public Safety Advocate, January 17, 2019

Posted by npstc

CES and more News and Views. First, I must admit I did not attend the yearly Consumer Electronics Show (CES) that is held in Las Vegas in early January. In fact, I have not attended CES for the last eight years or so because CES had been about electronics and buried within this huge show there might have been some wireless products. It turns out that this year CES was a huge event for wireless, public safety communications, and a look into the future of devices that are or will be controlled by wireless systems.

What I have learned from others who did attend was that wireless took center stage in many sections of the show. Fifth-Generation (5G) systems were promoted, demonstrated, and used to control many different types of electronic devices coming to consumers, businesses, and public safety real soon now. I say Real Soon Now (RSN) because many of the products and demonstrations shown at CES each year are not yet ready for prime time or store shelves. Many of the projects shown at CES are precursors for what the industry can expect to enter the marketplace when year-end Christmas shopping commences. Still, CES is becoming a good show for those who want to see the latest in wireless and what is coming in the future.

After the last day of CES there was another day referred to as CES Government 2019. This is one day I wish I had attended since there were a number of informative speeches given by members of the federal government and business communities dealing with cloud computing, and leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) in government and business today. One planned speech, “Cyber 2019: Threats and Trends” was cancelled due to the government shutdown. It was to have been presented by the Deputy Assistant Director for Cyber Security for the FBI, but there were a number of other great sessions. Read the Entire Post Here .

Here are the articles I have selected with the help of Discovery Patterns artificial intelligence.

San Jose, 100 Cities, Cos. Sue FCC Over Broadband Power Grab

Patch.com Jan 17 03:30 Continue reading →

Andy Seybold’s Public Safety Advocate, January 10, 2019

Posted by npstc

As we start the New Year, I would like to once again let you know that what may seem to be an AT&T leaning on my part is not. I believe in FirstNet and have fought for more than ten years for a nationwide broadband network. AT&T was the winner of the RFP so my comments regarding progress, of course, include AT&T. There were three bidders to the RFP, and a number that decided for whatever reason not to respond. For example, I was on a team for a very large Silicon Valley company that came close to bidding. We felt we had a winning proposal and the CFO agreed as did most of upper management. However, just before the deadline, the CEO decided that since this particular company made its money on short-term payback projects and FirstNet would require a sizable investment upfront and a payback over the twenty-five-year period of the contract, he should cancel the effort.

Overall Picture: The big picture view I have of public safety communications is that it is underway but taking much more time than anyone expected. It is a homogenous environment where Next-Generation 9-1-1 (NG911) feeds into both the Land Mobile Radio (LMR) and “FirstNet (Built with AT&T)” networks and provides for citizen input vetted by the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), thus making the public safety community’s job easier and safer. This will lead to more lives being saved, faster results in apprehending criminals, the ability to put fire equipment and personnel where they can attack a fire with the best results, and keep track of those inside a structure. Read the Entire Post Here.

Here are the articles I have selected with the help of Discovery Patterns artificial intelligence

More Than 50000 Square Miles of LTE Coverage Added Nationwide to Support AT&T and FirstNet …

Business Wire Jan 9 18:00

We increased the LTE coverage area for the AT&T network and FirstNet …

AT and T Deploys 700 MHz Band 14 Spectrum in 500 Markets

MissionCritical Jan 10 10:10

AT&T increased the Long Term Evolution (LTE) coverage area for the AT&T network and First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) public-safety communications platform by more than 50,000 square miles nationwide, covering an additional 1 million individuals, during 2018. The carrier also deployed band 14 spectrum in more than 500 markets. read more

At CES 2019, 5G is even more of a confusing mess than ever – CNET

CNET: Apple Jan 10 09:15

Commentary: Everyone’s talking about 5G at the show, even if they can’t agree on what 5G actually is.

AT&T Augments LTE Coverage to Benefit FirstNet Subscribers

Zacks.com Jan 10 08:20

AT&T intends to ramp up the FirstNet deployment while focusing on 5G to retain its leading position in the wireless market. The company continues to …

Highway Police Finds Productivity Gains Uploading Video via FirstNet

PR Web Jan 10 08:20

… in the country to opt-in to the highly-secure wireless broadband communications network made available to Arkansas’ public safety community.

CES 2019: First look at the Samsung 5G smartphone

Tech Investor News Jan 9 18:10

Samsung is showing off its 5G smartphone prototype at CES 2019, giving users a first taste of what the device will look like. Read Article at Source …

Samsung: 5G smartphones will be launched in the first half of this year

jqknews Jan 9 18:10

2019 coincides with the 50th anniversary of Samsung Electronics. Over the past 50 years, we have been committed to bringing meaningful innovation.

CES 2019: Inseego 5G NR Solution Portfolio Drives Mobile and Fixed Wireless Deployments …

Inseego Jan 9 17:45

Tier-One Asia-Pacific Operator Selects Inseego 5G NR Fixed Wireless Solution for In-Home Broadband Deployment, Joining Numerous Tier One …

Cradlepoint to provide new gigabit-class LTE edge router

Telecompaper Jan 9 17:00

… NetCloud service and turns 4G/LTE and 5G mobile services into mission-critical wireless WANs for enterprise and public safety applications.

5G dominates 2019 mobile predictions

ITWeb Africa Jan 9 16:25

Market research firm TrendForce predicts the arrival of 5G smartphones will be …

CES 2019 Unveils Next-Gen Innovation to the World

Business Wire Jan 9 16:15

LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The next generation of innovation is taking center stage this week at CES® 2019, as companies large and small unveil technologies that will revolutionize the way we live, work and play. This week, attendees are expected to experience all that fuels the expansion of tech into new areas such as 5G, artificial intelligence, smart cities, resilience, sports, vehicle tech, digital health and more. Owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), CES 20

CES 2019: Latest in Muni Smart Lighting, Earthquake Warning, 5G

Government Technology News Jan 9 16:15

LAS VEGAS – Collaboration between two major cities and their telecommunications partners is generating significant public response and should increase safety, reduce energy consumption and yield operational savings, officials told Government Technology. Technology and public safety officials from Las Vegas and Los Angeles joined executives from AT&T and Ubicquia, a smart city platform provider, on Jan. 8 at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas to discuss how new and ongoing partnersh

Senate Confirms Starks, Carr to FCC

Multichannel News Jan 3 03:20

During his confirmation hearing, I was excited to hear him highlight the need to expand rural broadband and the power of telemedicine. I look forward …

Airbus to Upgrade, Expand German Energy Firm’s TETRA Network

MissionCritical Jan 10 10:10

Airbus will modernize and expand seNet, the secure TETRA system of energy supplier STEAG. Airbus will replace the central technology of the communications system with Taira TETRA servers. read more

Your AT&T Phone Does Not Have 5G Now

Google News – Overview Jan 10 07:30

Samsung is starting it’s #ces2019 press conference talking about 5G. It’s working with AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint. In a way 5G is here now but it

Two-thirds of global firms plan to harness 5G by 2020, says Gartner

The National Jan 10 07:10

Nearly 66 per cent of companies globally have plans to deploy 5G by 2020, while Internet of Things (IoT) will remain the principle use of the faster, …

Verizon’s 5G CES Keynote: T-Shirts, But No Beef

Light Reading Jan 10 06:30

Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg’s keynote centered on the ‘eight currencies’ of 5G, but offered little in the way of new insight into Verizon’s plans for network rollouts and 5G-powered devices.

CES 2019: Cisco talks 6G

ZDNet Jan 9 21:00

While everyone else spent CES 2019 talking about 5G, Cisco is already looking towards a 6G future.

Comcast New (CMCSA) Holding Has Increased by Uss Investment Management Ltd; Tetra …

The FinExaminer Jan 9 18:20

… 14/03/2018 RadioResource: TETRA Operator Selected to Operate Finland’s Public-Safety Broadband Network; 24/04/2018 TETRA Market Size …

Android Brands to Advocate 5G Smartphones

Eetasia.com Jan 9 18:10

According to TrendForce’s latest report, Android smartphone brands, such as Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, OPPO, Vivo, and One Plus, all have a …

5G smartphones could revitalize sales, says report, as AT&T accused of deceiving customers

Newsvoice Jan 9 18:10

5G smartphones could revitalize sales, says report, as AT&T accused of deceiving customers.

5G Android Phone- Device List

Apps to Follow Jan 9 18:10

It looks like 2019 will finally see smartphone manufacturers launch a device which can hook up to the ultra-fast 5G networks as soon as possible.

AT&T’s Jeff McElfresh reveals network strategy and 5G plans

Telecom Lead Jan 9 17:45

AT&T said data traffic on its mobile network has grown more than 470,000 …

Verizon, Disney StudioLab Tout 5G Partnership

TVNewsCheck Jan 9 17:45

5G-enabled cloud-based production workflows, live volumetric video and delivery of movies to theaters are some of the developments that Disney’s …

5G Automotive Association at CES 2019: Highlighting connected mobility through 5G

5G Automotive Association Jan 9 17:45

5GAA founding member Ericsson will showcase its latest use of the C-V2X technology, demonstrating how the 4G/5G mobile networks will enable …

Intel Announces Series Of New Products At CES

Markets Insider Jan 9 17:11

(RTTNews) – Intel Corp. (INTC) announced a series of new products at CES, including new chips for artificial intelligence and 5G wireless connectivity.

iPhone and Other Smartphone Sales Are Slowing. Will 5G Networks Bring Them Back?

TheStreet.com Jan 9 16:55

If there was any shadow of a doubt that the smartphone industry is slowing, recent updates from Apple (AAPL – Get Report) and Samsung (SSNLF) …

Verizon Wireless says current spectrum holdings are sufficient for 5G buildout

FierceWireless Jan 9 16:55

Verizon Wireless is confident it doesn’t need more spectrum to achieve its 5G goals. The carrier has only used a little more than half of its existing …

Blackberry CEO on Data Security, AI Threats, 5G

Yahoo Finance UK Jan 9 16:50

Jan.09 — John Chen, Blackberry Ltd. chief executive officer, discusses mobile data security, a partnership with Amazon, and 5G software rollout plans.

How 5G will change your smartphone, and your life in 2019

The Coli Jan 3 10:10

Yes. Easily. But it’s only in its early stages since 5G has only rolled out very slowly last year. Give it until the mid 2020s before we see 5G fully utilized.

The FCC Is Closing, So Hold Your Cell Phone Service Gripes

WIRED Jan 3 02:55

The agency has washed its hands of much of its oversight over broadband and text-message service providers since Republicans gained control of …

Andy Seybold’s Public Safety Advocate: Looking Forward to 2019, January 3, 2019

Posted by npstc

Happy New Year to all of you! Hopefully, 2019 will be a great year for all of us including the public safety community of dispatchers, fire, EMS, and law enforcement personnel. At the end of each year and the beginning of the next year there are many articles, stories, and blogs looking back and then looking forward. This week’s Advocate is about looking forward through to the end of 2019. Technology and politics move too quickly to predict what will come beyond that.

As we enter 2019, January is month twenty-three of the FirstNet contract with AT&T. There are two FirstNets, one being the FirstNet Authority with a reconstructed board of directors and an acting CEO who many of us hope will soon lose the “acting” in the title. Then there is the AT&T FirstNet referred to as “FirstNet (Built with AT&T)”. This second FirstNet is ahead of schedule according to the RFP that was issued by FirstNet the Authority and it appears as though it will stay ahead during all of 2019.

Land Mobile Radio: Meanwhile, there are new and updated Land Mobile Radio (LMR) systems that were built in 2018 and more are already scheduled for 2019. Not only are P25 systems being deployed, analog systems are being upgraded, perhaps staying with analog only or moving to a combination of P25 and analog. Several P25 systems stand out as examples of more redundant, nearer to public safety-grade than most P25 systems. The difference is that these networks do not have a central core or “brain,” rather the brains of the network are placed at each site and sometimes redundant cores are used at each site to add yet another layer of redundancy. Further, these systems are IP-based and as I mentioned last year, we will ultimately have IP back-ends for NG 9-1-1 and LMR, meaning the FirstNet network can help greatly in providing a homogenized communications platform for public safety. Read the Entire Post Here

Here are the articles I have selected with the help of Discovery Patterns artificial intelligence

Senate Confirms Starks, Carr to FCC

Multichannel News Jan 3 03:20

During his confirmation hearing, I was excited to hear him highlight the need to expand rural broadband and the power of telemedicine. I look forward …

FCC To Cease Most Operations In Wake Of Gov’t Shutdown

Law360 Jan 2 19:55

However, the public safety network FirstNet will remain operational and the agency will still oversee “assignment of radio frequencies to federal …

FCC Outlines Impact on its Operations of Potential Funding Lapse

ARRL Jan 2 18:20

Still available will be the Network Outage Reporting System (NORS), the Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS), the Public Safety Support …

Brevard Public Schools Implement Instant Emergency Communications System with First Responders

Business Wire Jan 2 16:15

WALLINGFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Brevard County, Florida, joined six additional Florida counties using Mutualink’s instant emergency communications coordination platform to enhance school safety readiness and response. On December 11, 2018, Brevard County School Board authorized the implementation of Mutualink in all of Brevard County’s public schools. The system addresses many of the communications coordination problems and delays repeatedly identified in school shooting incident after act

Qualcomm (QCOM) Well Positioned Into 5G, Settlements – Canaccord Genuity

StreetInsider.com Jan 3 11:30

Canaccord Genuity analyst T. Michael Walkley was out positive on Qualcomm (NASDAQ: QCOM) ahead of the FTC case starting Friday, which he …

Ericsson and Panasonic Partner on 5G

Market Realist Jan 3 11:30

Ericsson (ERIC) and Panasonic have agreed to collaborate on exploring new 5G use cases. In addition to exploring 5G opportunities together, …

Ericsson Eyes the Mining Industry for the 5G Market

Market Realist Jan 3 11:30

Ericsson (ERIC) and Epiroc (EPOKY) will collaborate to provide mining companies with high-performance wireless connectivity, according to a …

Top 5 Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Features

HowToTechNaija Jan 3 11:20

One of such companies is Qualcomm which brought the first 5G SoC to the world. With the Snapdragon 8510 as its codename, thus chipset has …

NIST Telehealth Remote Monitoring Guidance Plan Gets AMIA Support

HealthITSecurity.com Jan 3 10:50

… recently announced it would fund a project to develop guidance around the security and privacy risks associated with remote patient monitoring.

SK Telecom uses 5G for first 2019 TV broadcast, plans live phone and drone vi…

Google Plus Jan 3 10:30

SK Telecom uses 5G for first 2019 TV broadcast, plans live phone and drone videos http://onvb.co/rEgUZP6 – VentureBeat – Google+.

How 5G will change your smartphone, and your life in 2019

The Coli Jan 3 10:10

Yes. Easily. But it’s only in its early stages since 5G has only rolled out very slowly last year. Give it until the mid 2020s before we see 5G fully utilized.

AT&T Adds to 5G Confusion

EE Times Jan 3 07:10

As if there isn’t already enough confusion about what 5G is and isn’t, AT&T dropped a bombshell with the news its 4G phones supporting advanced …

CES 2019: Alexa vs. Google, foldable TVs and 5G to take center stage in Las Vegas

USA Today Jan 3 06:00

The world’s biggest tech trade show kicks off Sunday, with some 4,000 exhibitors showing products and prototypes that promise to make our lives better.

The FCC Is Closing, So Hold Your Cell Phone Service Gripes

WIRED Jan 3 02:55

The agency has washed its hands of much of its oversight over broadband and text-message service providers since Republicans gained control of …

AT&T’s 5G speeds may not be much faster than 4G LTE

Notebookcheck.net Jan 3 01:30

Carriers and smartphone manufacturers have recently expressed concerns about problems they’ve encountered with implementing 5G into …

Samsung Galaxy 10 is 5G ready.

Supanet Jan 2 20:35

Samsung Galaxy S10 will include support for 5G mobile networks, a reliable tipster with an impressive track record of forecasting updates from …

5G Phones Are Coming Soon, But You Should Wait to Buy One

Bloglovin Jan 2 20:10

With just about every major US cellphone service provider prepping their 5G network rollouts, you’ve probably seen 2019 hyped as the beginning of …

FCC Asked to Modify UWB Waiver for Heart Failure Device

Posted by npstc

Zoll Medical Israel Ltd. has asked the FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology to modify a part 15 ultra-wideband waiver granted predecessor company Kyma Medical Technologies Ltd. in 2016 that enabled certification and marketing of a medical imaging and diagnostic device, the uCor 3.0 (uCor), which is designed to monitor congestive heart failure patients (TR Daily, Sept. 6, 2016).

In the redacted version of its waiver modification request, which was filed Dec. 26, Zoll noted that last September, it “received an experimental license from the Commission to conduct clinical trials using the modified device. Those trials are proving very successful, and Zoll now desires to commercialize the modified uCor for use by these patients. Because the modification, albeit minor in terms of its spectrum impact, does not meet the strict waiver conditions, Zoll hereby requests the Chief of the Office of Engineering and Technology (‘OET’) grant this Petition under its general delegation of authority. To speed up the process, Zoll further requests that the Petition not be put on public notice so that it and the Commission will be spared the unnecessary and repetitious industry objections that accompany all such UWB waiver requests.”

Zoll said it “has tested the modified device in accordance with the Commission’s rules and measurement procedures (per the waiver) and can confirm that it complies fully with Part 15 Subpart F requirements and shows identical test results to the original uCor device. Thus, there would appear to be no public interest served in soliciting comments on the duty cycle modification requested in this Petition.” —Paul Kirby, paul.kirby@wolterskluwer.com

Courtesy TRDaily

3.5 GHz Band Order Recon Petitions Still Due Jan. 7

Posted by npstc

The FCC announced today that petitions for reconsideration of the 3.5 gigahertz band order it adopted in October (TR Daily, Oct. 23) are still due Monday, despite the fact that most of the agency’s operations have been suspended due to the lapse in congressional appropriations (TR Daily, Jan. 2). A public notice released today in GN docket 17-258 said that the deadline for the recon petitions is not extended because the agency had said that agency staff will continue to perform work related to spectrum auction activities. The FCC plans to hold an auction of 3.5 GHz band priority access licenses (PALs).

Courtesy TRDaily

National Public Safety Telecommunications Council

This Just In

Spectrum Management

FCC Announces 700 MHz Band Relicensing Process

Andy Seybold’s Public Safety Advocate, February 7, 2019

Sprint Reports 800 MHz Rebanding Progress

Andy Seybold’s Public Safety Advocate, January 31, 2019

Myriad of Parties Offer Views on National Spectrum Strategy

Andy Seybold’s Public Safety Advocate, January 17, 2019

Andy Seybold’s Public Safety Advocate, January 10, 2019

Andy Seybold’s Public Safety Advocate: Looking Forward to 2019, January 3, 2019

FCC Asked to Modify UWB Waiver for Heart Failure Device

3.5 GHz Band Order Recon Petitions Still Due Jan. 7