Peter Adderton, CEO of MobileX and founder of Boost Mobile, urged the FCC to move forward on its draft handset unlocking NPRM set for a commissioner vote on Thursday (see 2406270068). “Locked phones create significant challenges and confusion for consumers, hindering their ability to switch carriers and access better deals,” a filing posted Friday in docket 24-186 said. The practice “disproportionately affects some of our most financially vulnerable citizens, who may already be struggling to manage their mobile expenses,” Adderton said.

Google is asking for a waiver of FCC rules requiring environmental sensing capability systems to protect federal incumbents in the citizens broadband radio service band from harmful interference in Texas markets that Hurricane Beryl affected. The FCC last week approved a similar waiver for Federated Wireless (see 2407080030). Google sought the waiver Friday in a filing in docket 15-319.

CTIA asked the FCC to add questions to the draft handset unlocking NPRM set for a vote July 18 (see 2406270068). CTIA said the FCC should ask whether “lost or stolen phones also fall under an exception to the 60-day unlocking requirement,” a filing posted Thursday in docket 24-186 said. In addition, CTIA requested that the draft be changed to ask about “other consumer impacts,” including “any digital equity implications” and the potential effect on the push to close the digital divide.

The Wireless ISP Association said the FCC should stick with revised rules for the 4.9 GHz band, allowing nonpublic safety use of the spectrum on a secondary basis (see 2301180062). The commission “correctly held” that a band manager model “would ensure that public safety operations are fully protected, while promoting spectrum efficiency, fostering innovation, and reducing equipment costs,” a filing posted Thursday in docket 07-100 said. WISPA noted that the Public Safety Spectrum Alliance has urged the FCC to change the rules: “PSSA is incorrect that secondary, non-public safety access on a preemptible basis would complicate the Band Manager’s ability to fulfill its frequency coordination and band management responsibilities,” WISPA said.

Verizon’s prepaid Total Wireless brand offered a customer promotion promising service at “less than $30 per month,” a rate locked in for five years. A customer would need four lines to get that price per line. A single line costs $50 monthly with unlimited data on Verizon’s 5G ultra-wideband network, a price that includes taxes and fees. Unveiled Thursday, the offer is for new customers. Total also unveiled a new logo.

AT&T responded to NCTA after the group Wednesday joined the fray on the 4.9 GHz band, saying FirstNet and by extension AT&T shouldn't gain control of it (see 2407100020). “This is a public safety issue, not an industry issue,” a spokesperson emailed. “Contrary the filing, we support public safety and join major public safety groups … in supporting FCC action to preserve this spectrum for public safety and meet the critical and evolving future communication needs of first responders.” AT&T noted the support of the Fraternal Order of Police, the International Association of Fire Fighters and the International Association of Chiefs of Police for its position, “among many others.”

Mint Mobile customers now get unlimited talk, text and 3GB of high-speed data per month when they roam in Canada, parent T-Mobile said Thursday. Mint subscribers already enjoy free calling in Mexico and the U.K. “Roam like a Canadian, but without the Canada-sized bill,” T-Mobile said.

CTIA wants the FCC to make several tweaks to the draft order and Further NPRM that let schools and libraries use E-rate support for off-premises Wi-Fi hot spots and wireless internet services (see 2406270068). The item is set for a commissioner vote July 18. The FCC should consider increasing the $15 funding cap for services and $90 for hot spots, a filing posted Thursday in docket 21-31 said: “The Draft Order indicates that these values represent median costs, meaning that fully half of the costs in the sample were above these levels. Using median costs as funding caps could unduly restrict the range of offerings available to schools and libraries.” The requirement to monitor usage should rest with applicants, not providers, CTIA said. In addition, the FCC should consider removing the limitation on devices with ethernet ports, the group said. “This limitation is not necessary to ensure appropriate use of the funding and the Draft Order offers no explanation for its inclusion.”

The FCC Office of Engineering and Technology sought comment on a waiver request by Norway's Kontur for ultra-wideband (UWB) devices, a public notice said Wednesday. Kontur requested the commission waive sections 15.503(d), 15.31(c), and 15.521(d), letting Kontur certify and market a UWB device that would operate as a stepped-frequency, continuous-wave-modulated ground penetrating radar (GPR) transmitter. The device “would improve the quality and quantity of information used by a variety of industries,” Kontur said. However, it does not meet the FCC’s definition of a UWB because it's frequency hopping. Comments are due Aug. 9, replies Sept. 10, in docket 24-209.

NCTA weighed in at the FCC against giving FirstNet and AT&T control of the 4.9 GHz band. As the FCC and others recognize, “spectrum resources are finite, and 'greenfield' opportunities have been exhausted,” a filing posted Wednesday in docket 07-100 said. “AT&T already holds vast swaths of licensed spectrum,” NCTA said: “Under these circumstances, AT&T -- like any other commercial provider -- should be required to compete in an open and competitive assignment process rather than being designated a band manager with residual rights to utilize the 4.9 GHz band for commercial purposes.” The Edison Electric Institute also opposed FirstNet control of the band. Allowing commercial communications service providers to use the 4.9 GHz band "will diminish its reliability, which would in turn discourage further investment by public safety and utilities, effectively displacing incumbents from the band,” EEI said.