FCC

FCC lets carriers get away with lying about 4G coverage

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Verizon, T-Mobile, and U.S. Cellular exaggerated the extent of their 4G LTE coverage in official filings to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the FCC itself found in an investigation. But FCC chairman Ajit Pai won't take any action against the carriers. Instead, they'll get a stern talking-to, according to Ars Technica.

Apple testing next-generation 5G technology

Apple is testing next-generation 5G wireless technologies, according to documents recently made public by the FCC. Business Insider points to the filing, in which the iPhone maker asks the Commission for an experimental license to use a new wireless technology called 'millimeter wave.'

Apple Inc. seeks to assess cellular link performance in direct path and multipath environments between base station transmitters and receivers using this spectrum. These assessments will provide engineering data relevant to the operation of devices on wireless carriers’ future 5G networks.

Apple intends to transmit from two fixed points located at Apple-controlled facilities in Cupertino and Milpitas, CA. These transmissions will be consistent with the parameters and equipment identified in Apple’s accompanying Form 442, and will include the use of a horn antenna with a half-power beamwidth of 20 degrees in the E-plane and H-plane and a downtilt between 20 - 25 degrees. Apple anticipates that it will conduct its experiments for a period not to exceed 12 months.

Interestingly enough, one of the bands Apple intends to test (28GHz) has been allocated for earth-to-space transmissions. It was reported last month that Apple is recruiting satellite experts for a secret hardware team. The company is also currently in a legal battle with wireless chip supplier Qualcomm.

Here in the US, major carriers like Verizon and AT&T have pledged to start rolling out their 5G networks to major markets later this year. T-Mobile and Sprint both hope to have 5G towers up and running by 2020.

Source: Business Insider

Chinese firm is seeking approval to sell these knockoff AirPods in US

Chinese company called Dacom Electronics has created a pair of wireless headphones that look remarkably similar to Apple's $169 AirPods with the custom W1 chip that first went on sale in December.

As reported by Business Insider, Dacom via its recent FCC filing is now seeking approval to sell its knockoff AirPods to customers in the United States.

Apple’s mysterious wireless device is just a door access system

Multiple filings for an unannounced wireless device with the model number A1844 which Apple recently made with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have caused quite a commotion, more so in light of Bloomberg's claims that an Amazon Echo-like appliance powered by Siri was in prototype testing. The mysterious device has turned out to be nothing more than a wireless door access system.

As per Business Insider, the device was likely designed for the new Apple Park headquarters opening to employees in April.

Apple submits third FCC filing for its mystery Bluetooth and NFC device

Apple has submitted its third filing for a mystery Bluetooth and NFC device with the US Federal Communications Commission (FTC). The original “Wireless Device” was first uncovered in an FCC filing back in September 2016, with a second appearance last month.

The latest update concerns a device with the model number A1845 and is generally similar to Apple's prior submissions. The filing doesn't seem to be for Apple's rumored Siri-powered appliance akin to Amazon Echo wireless speakers because it lacks built-in Wi-Fi.