Electromagnetic frequencies used for wireless communications
Spectrum
Sprint affiliate Shentel starts negotiation clock with new T-Mobile
The closure of the T-Mobile merger with Sprint kicked off a round of questions about how the new entity will work, including for Sprint affiliate Shenandoah Telecommunications (Shentel), which offers services under the Sprint brand. Shentel received a Conversion Notice from T-Mobile pursuant to the terms of its affiliate agreement with Sprint which sets forth a cascade of deadlines and potential outcomes. First, there’s a 90-day period for the companies to negotiate mutually agreeable terms and conditions for Shentel to continue as an affiliate of the new T-Mobile.
This meeting will be conducted in an electronic format and open to the public via audio teleconference (866–652–3435 participant code 28570198).
Rural broadband and telehealth critical to America's COVID-19 response
Telehealth can play a vital role in keeping more Americans healthy and easing the stress on the capacity-strained health care system.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai Singles out Telehealth as Beneficiary of New Unlicensed Spectrum
Federal Communications Chairman Ajit Pai identified telemedicine as the industry he is most excited about as a result of the upcoming availability of 1200 megahertz of unlicensed spectrum. Telehealth “can be a gamechanger,” and he can see the opening of 1200 MHz of unlicensed spectrum giving rise to a future of “Wi-Fi-enabled telehealth,” said Chairman Pai. In addition to telehealth, Pai also mentioned augmented reality gaming, virtual reality and warehouse optimization as important beneficiaries of opening spectrum.
FCC Reactions to 'Team Telecom' Executive Order
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai issued the following statement on President Donald Trump’s Executive Order on Establishing the Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the USTelecommunications Services Sector: “I applaud the President for formalizing Team Telecom review and establishing a process that will allow the Executive Branch to provide its expert input to the FCC in a timely manner. Now that this Executive Order has been issued, the FCC will move forward to conclude our own pending rulemaking on reform of the foreign ownership review process.
The widespread work and school closures that are disrupting daily life and the economy have highlighted how critical it is to have affordable, high-capacity internet connectivity throughout every home. Stay-at-home orders are turning homes into classrooms and offices, with parents and kids sharing available bandwidth on multiple laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
Even homes with gigabit-capable fiber or cable service are discovering that today’s Wi-Fi is constrained in supporting multiple users engaged in video conferencing, streaming video, and other high-bandwidth applications.
Faster Internet Is on the Way
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai is taking steps to boost Wi-Fi across the country. He proposed to make 1,200 megahertz of the 6 GHz mid-band spectrum available for unlicensed use. This will effectively increase Wi-Fi spectrum capacity by a factor of five, enabling more inter-operable 5G devices such as smart appliances not to mention faster speeds so Americans can do more things online.
FCC Announces Tentative Agenda for April 2020 Open Meeting
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai announced that the items below are tentatively on the agenda for the Open Commission Meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 23, 2020:
Chairman Pai Proposes New 6 GHz Band Rules to Unleash Unlicensed Use
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai circulated draft rules permitting unlicensed devices to operate in the 6 GHz band. The proposed rules would make 1,200 megahertz of spectrum available for unlicensed use. Unlicensed devices would share this spectrum with incumbent licensed services under rules that are crafted to protect those licensed services and to enable both unlicensed and licensed operations to thrive throughout the band. The Chairman’s draft rules will be voted on by the FCC at its April 23 Open Meeting.
Digging In for the Long Haul
As we continue our important work directly related to COVID-19, the Federal Communications Commission will also continue our work confronting the longer-term challenges that have been highlighted by pandemic. In particular, at our upcoming meeting on April 23, we will be voting on major initiatives to expand wireless connectivity and further close the digital divide.