The United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has given permission for four companies — including Google and Sony — to open the 3.5GHz band for commercial use. The opening of this midband spectrum has been long sought by campaigners, and it’s likely this will mean faster speeds for both 4G LTE connections and the United States’ budding 5G network.
Google, Sony, CommScope, and Federated Wireless Inc. have been named by the FCC as the four Spectrum Access System (SAS) Administrators, which means each will be responsible for making their specific part of the 3.5GHz bands fit for commercial purposes. This is the first time the midband spectrum will be available for private use within the U.S., and it’s likely to be jumped on quickly by companies seeking to boast of faster data connections than the competition.
Chairman @AjitPaiFCC just announced that the agency has certified four Spectrum Access System Administrators, paving the way for full commercial operations in the 3.5 GHz band: https://t.co/RHcSIq6ZTf
— The FCC (@FCC) January 27, 2020
As noted by Engadget, this has been in the pipeline for some time now. The 3.5GHzz midrange band is already open to 5G networks in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, so it’s about time the U.S. caught up with everyone else. It could have arrived sooner too, with the FCC voting to free up a part of the midrange band in 2015. Unfortunately for LTE networks, the effort was held up by a number of disputes. Key to the disputes was the U.S. Navy’s naval radar system, which often used the same band. While there were times the band was empty, the FCC had to make sure there would be room for both private and Navy traffic in the band at the same time, which held up making a final decision for several years.
But don’t go booting up your phones and stepping outside to enjoy your new speed just yet. It’s likely to take time before any of us are able to see the benefits in our usual lives. One thing’s for sure though: With 5G phones arriving at an ever-increasing pace, and the number of 4G-capable phones multiplying in kind, there may come a day where all of us are connected all the time. Whatever your thoughts on that, it’s sure to mean we all live in interesting times.
Meta wants to make its AI feel like a cute tiny friend through a newly launched pet journal app called Waddle World. Think of it as Tamagotchi, but the pixelated pet can actually chat with you and doodle little illustrations based on what you tell it about your day. Right now, this free app is available on iOS and Android only in the Philippines, with access limited to adults.
Waddle World is a pet that wants to know about your day
What if checking your drinking water for dangerous chemicals were as simple as plugging a tiny gadget into your smartphone? Researchers in Japan have developed a compact sensor that could make that possible, potentially bringing sophisticated water contamination testing out of expensive laboratories and into people's hands.
Scientists at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) have created a portable device capable of detecting extremely low concentrations of PFAS, commonly known as "forever chemicals." The findings were published in the journal Biosensors and Bioelectronics, which demonstrate how an inexpensive sensor and a smartphone could make identifying potentially harmful chemicals in water a lot easier.
ShiftCam is adding to its range of iPhone filmmaking accessories with ProRig+, a revised version of its modular camera rig that has dedicated controls for focus, zoom, shutter, and shooting modes. The new system launches on Kickstarter with the ProControl remote, giving mobile creators a higher level of hands-on control without having to constantly tap their iPhone’s screen.
The announcement comes soon after ShiftCam introduced the original ProRig, developed with feedback from Apple. The original model is expected to ship in the coming weeks, while ProRig+ will be a more advanced remote and will be delivered to backers in February 2027. The Kickstarter campaign has also been honored with the platform’s “Projects We Love” designation.