Wireless Telecommunications

T-Mobile Claims a 5G Six-Carrier Aggregation “First”

T-Mobile said that it achieved the world’s first six-carrier aggregation call using sub-6 GHz spectrum on its live production 5G network. Working with Ericsson and Qualcomm Technologies, T-Mobile exceeded 3.6 Gigabits per second (Gbps) in the test. The carrier described this speed as fast enough to download a two-hour HD movie in less than 7 seconds. Higher speed and increased performance are the result of the 5G carrier aggregation in which T-Mobile combined multiple 5G channels.

Three keys to success for FirstNet 3.0

Now that we have moved beyond the initial planning (1.0) and network buildout (2.0) phases of FirstNet, we are laser focused on extending and evolving the network (3.0). Here are three keys to success in FirstNet 3.0:

Illinoisans pay nation's highest wireless cell phone service tax

Illinoisans paid the highest state and local taxes for wireless cell phone service in the nation in 2023, spending more monthly than the combined rates of the two lowest states—Idaho and Nevada. Illinois wireless plan holders paid 23% in state and local taxes, fees and government surcharges on their monthly wireless bills in 2023. Residents in each state also paid 10.8% in federal taxes to the Universal Service Fund for cell phone service in 2023. That gave Illinois a grand total of 33.8% in government taxes on the cell bills compared to the 24.5% U.S. average.

Missouri Awards More Than $7.9 Million in ARPA Funding to Expand Cellular Service Statewide

The Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) awarded a total of more than $7.9 million through the second round of the Cell Towers Grant Program. Grants will be awarded to 14 projects to construct new towers that provide quality cellular service and greater 911 connectivity to high-cost areas.

SpaceX Launches Starlink Satellites to Support Service to T-Mobile Cellphones

T-Mobile’s planned satellite-to-cellphone service came a step closer now that SpaceX Starlink has begun launching satellites that will support the service. Field testing is expected to begin soon. When available, the service will enable T-Mobile customers to have cellphone connectivity in areas where traditional service is not available, and may never be, because of land use restrictions or difficult terrain. T-Mobile and SpaceX announced plans for the satellite-to-cellphone service in August of 2022.

Lack of auction authority stymied FCC in 2023

Although the Federal Communications Commission did not have its auction authority for most of 2023, some important events came to pass. The wireless industry lobbied much of the year for reallocation of spectrum in the 3.1-3.45 GHz band, which didn’t happen. The Biden Administration delivered a plan for a National Spectrum Strategy, which includes further study of the 3.1-3.45 GHz band.

EchoStar Corporation Completes Merger with DISH Network Corporation

EchoStar Corporation completed its acquisition of DISH Network Corporation on December 31, 2023. To complete the acquisition, a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar merged with and into DISH Network, with DISH Network surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar. The transaction combines DISH Network’s satellite technology, streaming services, and nationwide 5G network with EchoStar’s premier satellite communications solutions.

Dish cites T-Mobile’s low-band spectrum stash in bid for new FCC policies

Dish Network is re-upping its calls for the Federal Communications Commission to update spectrum holding policies, saying the agency’s current spectrum procedures have enabled incumbents like T-Mobile to amass too much low-band spectrum to the detriment of new competitors and regional carriers. Dish EVP of External & Legislative Affairs Jeff Blum and other Dish lawyers met with FCC representatives to discuss the current competitive landscape and importance of spectrum availability in giving new entrants a chance to compete. Dish pointed to comments from AT&T, Public Knowledge, and O

Creating value from 5G: The challenge for mobile operators

Through its superior technical characteristics compared to previous generations of mobile technologies, 5G supports the development of innovative services and products across the whole economy. As a consequence, the potential impact of 5G is frequently described as being significant, with estimates of $1 trillion or more being added to global GDP by the end of the decade being common. For mobile operators, 5G provides an opportunity to generate new sources of revenue.

The State of Worldwide Connectivity in 2023

To gain insight into the current performance of networks, we analyzed Speedtest® data in Q3 2023. Our analysis compares changes in 5G performance to the previous year, identifies the top 10 countries with the best performance, and discusses customer satisfaction with 5G. We also ranked countries based on the performance of their fixed networks and investigated the connectivity gap across the world. Key takeways:

FCC Grants 8 Broadband Segment Applications to PDV Spectrum Holding Company

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (Bureau) granted eight 900 MHz broadband segment license applications to PDV Spectrum Holding Company in Polk County (GA), Racine and Eau Claire Counties (WI), and Dakota, Scott, Sherburne, Wright, and Anoka Counties (MN). PDV is a wholly owned subsidiary of Anterix, the largest holder of 900 MHz spectrum nationwide, has been courting utilities that are interested in the spectrum for private LTE as they look to modernize and future-proof critical power grid infrastructure. On May 13, 2020, the FCC realigned the 900 M

Federal Communications Commission Proposes 100 Percent of Mobile Phones Be Hearing Aid Compatible

The Federal Communications Commission proposed that 100 percent of wireless handsets—namely mobile phones and smartphones—offered for sale in the United States be fully compatible with hearing aids. The FCC is committed to ensuring that all Americans, including those with hearing loss, are able to access communications services on an equal basis.

The Trajectory of the Broadband Industry

For well over a decade, it was fairly easy to understand the trajectory of the broadband industry. But the industry is now in total turmoil. Within a short time, cable companies have stopped growing. Currently, all of the industry growth among big internet service providers (ISPs) is coming from cellular fixed wireless access (FWA). Last-mile fiber networks are being built across the country. Wireless internet service providers (WISPs) finally have the radios and enough spectrum to be serious competitors. When I talk about trajectory, I’m not talking about predicting 2024.

House passes Kennedy bill to require FCC to expand 5G access to rural Americans by releasing previously auctioned spectrum

On December 11, 2023, the House of Representatives passed Sen. John Kennedy’s (R-LA) 5G Spectrum Authority Licensing Enforcement (SALE) Act. The bill would require the Federal Communications Commission to release previously auctioned spectrum in order to expand broadband access to rural communities. The US Senate passed Kennedy’s legislation in September 2023. The 5G SALE Act would temporarily grant the FCC auction authority it needs to complete spectrum transfers, which would allow broadband services to provide greater 5G network coverage to Americans in rural areas.

Wireless Technologies for Rural Farming Communities

Conversations about rural broadband access tend to focus on connections to homes and businesses, but precision agriculture increasingly requires reliable connectivity to the farm office and the field. In the field, farmers rely on wireless connectivity—such as fixed wireless and mobile cellular—to make real-time strategic and logistical decisions about their land, crops, animals, equipment, and farm facilities. Connected sensors in the field collect the accurate, timely data that farmers can use to optimize their practices and conserve resources.

The race to 5G is over— now it’s time to pay the bill

The Consumer Electronics Show 2024 is just around the corner, and while telecommunications executives were eager to shout about 5G to the rafters just a few years ago, you’ll probably be lucky to hear so much as a whisper about it this time around. While it’s true that 5G has actually arrived, the fantastic use cases we heard about years ago haven’t materialized. But deploying 5G at the breakneck speeds required to win an imaginary race resulted in one fewer major wireless carrier to choose from and lots of debt to repay.

Comcast President: ‘We know how to compete against fiber’

As fiber deployments grow, Comcast President Mike Cavanaugh thinks the company is well-positioned to handle the competition. “We’re very focused on the key competitor over the long term being fiber,” Cavanaugh said “The good news is we’ve competed against fiber for 20 years, we know how to compete against [it].” What’s driving the current competitive landscape, Cavanaugh went on to say, is “low move activity” and “the entry of fixed wireless.” He noted it’s difficult to say “which one is more significant.” Cavanaugh predicts fixed wireless access (FWA) will “run for a while,” but said Comca

Senators Markey (D-MA) and Blackburn (R-TN) Send Letter To FCC On 12 Gigahertz Proceeding

Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to act expeditiously in its proceeding regarding the 12.2-12.7 GHz spectrum band while continuing to maintain an evidence-based approach.  With the 12.2-12.7 GHz band, the FCC has a unique near-term opportunity to expand broadband access, improve the distribution of spectrum resources, and put our spectrum to its most efficient use, especially in rural areas of the country.

President Biden's spectrum plan doesn't quell 5G capacity worries

Two top executives in the 5G industry renewed calls for more spectrum for commercial uses just weeks after the Biden administration released a 26-page national spectrum strategy. AT&T CEO John Stankey and Verizon's top networking chief, Joe Russo, both said that companies need access to more spectrum in order to innovate and grow the industry. Critics of President Joe Biden, including Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Carr, argue that his administration hasn't done enough to support the 5G industry.

Dish’s Boost Wireless Expands, Now Covers 140 Million People

Dish’s Boost Mobile wireless network now covers 89 markets, with a footprint of 140 million people. The company recently added 12 new markets: Billings, MT; Cincinnati, OH; Columbia, SC; Denver, CO; Philadelphia, PA, Fayetteville, NC; Jacksonville, FL; Minneapolis, MN; Portland, OR; Shreveport, LA, Tucson, AZ; and Washington, DC. Dish bought the Boost Mobile business, which at the time was prepaid only, from T-Mobile as a condition of T-Mobile’s acquisition of Sprint. The deal closed in 2020. Dish owns spectrum and is moving traffic onto that network as it is built.

Viasat’s Broadband Arctic Extension Closer as Spacecraft Complete Key Tests

Viasat, Inc. announced the second satellite in the upcoming Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission has completed thermal vacuum testing at Northrop Grumman’s Dulles, VA, site: a significant milestone as the project looks to connect the Arctic region with high speed broadband in the second half of 2024. The mission, led by the Space Norway subsidiary Heosat, will see two satellites deployed in a highly elliptical orbit (HEO) in the world’s first HEO mission carrying a broadband commercial service payload.

AT&T’s and Verizon’s scores take off around the U.S. airports after 5G interference mitigations ease

Open Signal users on AT&T and Verizon’s networks have enjoyed substantial boosts in their download speeds around U.S.

Verizon’s TracFone to pay $23.5 million in Lifeline, Emergency Broadband Benefit settlement

Verizon’s TracFone Wireless subsidiary reached a settlement with the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Enforcement Bureau to resolve an investigation into whether the company violated the agency’s Lifeline and Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program rules.  According to the FCC, TracFone’s internal systems: 1) improperly considered a subscriber’s receipt of an inbound text message to constitute qualifying Lifeline usage and 2) improperly claimed support for a group of customers who were enrolled jointly in both the Lifeline and EBB programs, but did not use one of the services in

Verizon’s Joe Russo talks about capacity planning for fixed wireless access (FWA)

Verizon President of Global Networks and Technology Joe Russo said that Verizon does manage its network capacity on a sector-by-sector basis, which has become especially important with the rollout of its fixed wireless access (FWA) service. T-Mobile has been very transparent about managing its network capacity on a sector-by-sector basis in areas where it introduces FWA, to make sure that FWA doesn’t in any way degrade the experience of T-Mobile’s regular mobile customers. But Verizon has only said that it’s always managing the capacity needs on its mobile network, without getting into spec