Deny OTI, PK Request That It Stay Launch of Safety Systems, Auto Industry Groups Tell FCC
Three automobile industry associations slammed a June Public Knowledge and New America Open Technology Institute emergency petition (see 1606280066) for an FCC stay on launch of dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) systems aimed at curbing traffic accidents. The public interest groups raised cybersecurity concerns and questioned whether automakers want to use the safety spectrum to make a profit (see 1608240046). CTIA and other wireless industry groups also opposed a stay. Comments were due Wednesday in RM-11771.
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The auto filing was signed by the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, Association of Global Automakers and Intelligent Transportation Society of America. Between them, the groups represent many automakers, suppliers and tech and telecom companies, according to their websites. The FCC is examining the future use of the 5.9 GHz band and potential sharing between auto safety systems and Wi-Fi.
“Congress, the Commission, state highway authorities, and federal agencies with primary jurisdiction over national transportation matters repeatedly have concluded that DSRC is integral to the deployment of Intelligent Transportation Systems and best suited to achieving the public safety and related national transportation goals that underlie this national initiative,” the auto industry commenters said. The FCC must not “deliberately halt or otherwise compromise the significant progress with respect to DSRC made to date,” the groups said.
“Privacy and security are fundamental to the design of DSRC systems, which have multiple layers of safeguards built in to protect those interests,” the auto associations said. PK and OTI “grossly” exaggerate the possible risks, the filing said: “Petitioners’ claim that ‘vulnerabilities will only increase’ as a result of DSRC technology indicates their fundamental misunderstanding of the difference between overall vehicle cybersecurity and DSRC-specific security.” The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the FTC already police the security and privacy of DSRC systems, the industry groups said.
CTIA agreed. NHTSA and the FTC are involved in the privacy and security of DSRC and the commission doesn’t have a clear role to play, CTIA said. “There is no basis to prohibit commercial operation in the DSRC service, which would stifle existing and emerging uses of this spectrum band,” CTIA said. “A government mandate to effectively disconnect DSRC from commercial uses runs counter to today’s networked reality and could stifle innovative and societally-beneficial uses of this spectrum.” The Telecommunications Industry Association said granting a stay could slow work on successful sharing of the band.
But four consumer groups said more questions should be asked by the FCC about the 5.9 GHz DSRC band. “There should be dedicated and adequate spectrum available exclusively for safety purposes. The current allocation of 75 MHz may be more than is necessary, and an impartial determination should be made as to what amount is needed solely for safety purposes,” the groups said. “Auto manufacturers must be required to meet baseline, enforceable standards to protect the privacy and security of communications technologies using this dedicated band as they deploy them.” The Consumer Federation of America, Consumers Union, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety and Center for Auto Safety signed the filing.