Newsletter April 30, 2026

Wireless Roundup (May 2026)

April 30, 2026

Key Wireless Deadlines
Upcoming Meetings and Events
Cyber Corner
Other Wireless Developments
Did You Know?
Recent Wiley Client Alerts, IoT Blog Posts, and Podcasts

Key Wireless Deadlines

Commission Seeks Comment on Achieving American “Drone Dominance”: On April 1, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) issued a Public Notice (PN), seeking policy suggestions to expand deployment of U.S.-made drones and dedicated spectrum for drones. Specifically, the PN calls for comment on a wide variety of topics, including: (1) eliminating unnecessary regulatory burdens that frustrate drone deployment; (2) allowing sufficient spectrum for drone testing and operations; (3) streamlining experimental licensing rules; and (4) encouraging investment in trusted, domestic drone manufacturing. More details are available in this Wiley client alert. Comments are due May 1. Reply Comments are due May 18.

FCC Seeks Input on Prohibiting Marketing and Importation of Previously Authorized Devices Added to the Covered List Before 2025: On March 27, the FCC issued a PN requesting comment on a proposal to prohibit the importation and marketing of previously authorized devices that were added to the Covered List in 2024 or earlier. The Commission specifically seeks information on the national security, economic, and supply chain factors that would justify such a prohibition. The PN clarifies that the proposal would prohibit importation and marketing, but not continued use or operation of already-purchased equipment. Comments are due May 6.

FCC Calls for Refreshed Record on Technical Parameters for Lower C-Band: On April 10, the FCC issued a PN seeking to refresh the record on pending petitions for reconsideration of technical parameters in its 2020 C-Band Report and Order (R&O). Specifically, the FCC seeks comment on technical issues in the 3.7-3.98 GHz band, Lower C-band, that have been raised in the Commission’s ongoing Upper C-band Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), as well as technical parameters related to radio altimeter operations in the 4.2-4.4 GHz band. The PN also calls for a refreshed record on five other outstanding petitions for reconsideration filed in May 2020 “to the extent they remain applicable.” These five petitions discuss a range of issues such as out-of-band emissions restrictions and requirements for time division duplex synchronization. Comments are due May 5.

Commission Seeks Comment on Rulemaking Petition for New Spectrum Allocation Rules in 1675-1695 MHz and 5350-5470 MHz Bands: On April 7, the FCC issued a PN calling for comment on a petition by Qualcomm to allocate a 5-megahertz block of spectrum within the 1675-1695 MHz band and a contiguous 40-megahertz block within the 5350-5470 MHz band for “sidelink” operations that would allow for 5G device-to-device connectivity. The petition calls for a license-by-rule framework, with public safety entities operating on a primary basis and all other users on a secondary basis. Comments are due May 7. Reply Comments are due May 22.

Commission Proposes to Expand TT&C Spectrum Authorization for Non-Communications Space Operations: On March 27, the FCC released its “Spectrum Abundance for Weird Space Stuff” NPRM to expand authorization for telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C) operations for space missions that do not aim to provide telecommunications services to the public. The proposal would specifically authorize uplink TT&C functions in the 2320-2345 MHz band, which is currently used primarily to provide Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service. The Commission also seeks comment generally on proposals to make TT&C spectrum more available for all emergent space operations. Comments are due May 11. Reply Comments are due June 8.

FCC Requests Input on Enhancements for Internet-Based TRS: At its January 29, 2026 Open Meeting, the FCC adopted an NPRM to modernize internet-based telecommunications relay services (TRS). Specifically, the NPRM seeks comment on: (1) exploring the use of automatic speech recognition for speech-to-text conversion and advanced text-to-speech technologies; (2) adding captioning to video relay service (VRS) platforms to improve VRS functionality; and (3) streamlining TRS provider certification by eliminating obsolete rules. Reply Comments are due May 18.

Upcoming Meetings and Events

FCC Open Meeting: The next FCC Open Meeting is scheduled for May 20. Meeting details can be found here. The tentative agenda includes:
CEC Fireside Chat with Jay Schwarz: On May 14, the Connect Everyone Coalition (CEC) will host a virtual fireside chat with FCC Space Bureau Chief Jay Schwarz. More information can be found here.

Cyber Corner

ioXT Alliance Selected as Lead Cyber Trust Mark Administrator: On April 13, the FCC announced that ioXT Alliance will serve as the Lead Administrator for the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark Program.
FCC Announces Cybersecurity Workshops: The FCC will host cybersecurity risk management workshops on May 14 (for broadcasters) and May 15 (for telecommunications carriers). More information can be found here.
NIST Releases for Comment Publication on CMVP: On April 15, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released for comment the public draft of Special Publication 1800-40b, Automation of the NIST Cryptographic Module Validation Program (CMVP). The draft describes capabilities and processes that are being integrated by NIST and partners to automate the CMVP. Comments are due June 1.

Other Wireless Developments

Commission Provides Additional Guidance on Scope and Applicability of Covered List Restrictions on Consumer-Grade Routers: In April, the FCC published revisions to its Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to its addition of foreign-produced routers to the Covered List. Among other things, the revised FAQs state that mobile hotspot devices “for residential use,” LTE/5G routers “for residential use,” and residential routers installed by a professional or service provider are in scope, while femtocells, optical network terminals, and mobile phones with hotspot features are not covered. The FCC announced Conditional Approvals issued to certain router models on April 14 and April 22.

New FCC Foreign Ownership Rules to Take Effect: On April 9, the FCC published an R&O amending and clarifying the procedural requirements for foreign entities to petition the FCC for a declaratory ruling in order to hold an FCC authorization. More details are available in these Wiley client alerts from January 30 and April 14. The new rules take effect on May 11.

Commission Reaffirms Exclusive MSS Rights in 1.5, 1.6/2.4, and 2 GHz Bands: On April 23, the FCC issued an Order reaffirming the exclusivity of the 1.5 GHz L-band, 1.6/2.4 GHz Big LEO Band, and 2 GHz band for Mobile Satellite Service (MSS). The Order denied petitions for rulemakings and other applications that sought access to these spectrum bands.

FCC Replaces EPFD Criteria with Performance-Based Criteria in GSO/NGSO Spectrum Sharing Framework: On April 30, the FCC approved a Report and Order that revises the spectrum sharing framework for Geostationary Orbit (GSO) and Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) systems. The new rules impose on NGSO operators performance-based GSO protection criteria, replacing decades-old protection metrics that were based on Equivalent Power Flux Density (EPFD) limits. The Order also extends good-faith coordination requirements and supplies technical backstops for protection when coordination cannot be reached. The Order will be effective 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.

Did You Know?

Wiley launched a Trump Administration Resource Center and Resource Guide to track Executive branch priorities during the second Administration of President Trump. With Wiley’s deep-rooted understanding of Washington and today’s evolving regulatory landscape, the Resource Center and Resource Guide provide critical insights, actionable intelligence, practical solutions, and guidance across key industries to help businesses stay ahead of the curve and manage challenges in 2026 and beyond.

In addition, Wiley recently launched a Trump Administration Tariff Tracker. It offers a high-level, real-time overview of the latest developments under the Trump Administration, organized by category and updated as new actions unfold.

Wiley created an AI hub, All Things AI, to showcase thought leadership and insights on AI legal and regulatory matters.

Wiley launched a Federal Infrastructure Resource Center, highlighting the federal government’s initiative to invest in our nation’s infrastructure, including the $42 billion Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program.

Wiley created a Sanctions and Export Controls Resource Center, which hosts our latest insights related to sanctions, export controls, digital currency, cybersecurity and privacy, and other issues surrounding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Check out our Consumer Protection Download Newsletter; the latest edition is available here.