NCTA Supports FCC Proposal on 5.9 GHz Band; Others Concerned
Among comments posted in docket 19-138 by Monday's deadline, NCTA said the FCC is on the right track with recommending reallocation of the 5.9 GHz band. The agency is expected to move forward (see 2003090059). The NPRM proposes “a reasonable…
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path forward to address the urgent need to put mid-band unlicensed spectrum to use while allowing [intelligent transportation] proponents a second opportunity to demonstrate that the marketplace will support connected vehicle technologies in this band,” NCTA said: Its proximity to other spectrum used for Wi-Fi “uniquely positions the band to help meet immediate and long-term needs for more unlicensed broadband spectrum.” Proponents of preserving the safety band also weighed in. “All vehicle-to-everything technologies rely on this band to communicate,” the National Association of City Transportation Officials said: “Shifting bandwidth towards unlicensed uses such as WiFi jeopardizes street safety while limiting cities’ ability to scale up testing and deployment of potentially life-saving V2X technologies.” Preserve "the entire 5.9 GHz Band for roadway safety applications,” said the National Electrical Manufacturers Association: “The 45 MHz in the middle of the Band should be retained for roadway safety applications in development and not allocated for unlicensed.” The Government Wireless Technology & Telecommunications Association is against reallocation. "Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technologies are a vital tool in national transportation safety," it commented. “Allowing untested technologies and unlicensed devices to use the spectrum available for V2X technologies could negate the ability of these technologies to function.” Taking 60% of the band for Wi-Fi “will strand already-deployed V2X units and users, foreclose advanced safety features of the future, and compromise the technology’s lifesaving potential,” General Motors commented: “This proposal, which will only marginally benefit commercial, non-safety unlicensed uses, will likely end V2X.” New America’s Open Technology Institute and Public Knowledge said the FCC should open the band for Wi-Fi. “The virtually unused 5.9 GHz band has become a roadblock to an immensely valuable Wi-Fi superhighway comprised of contiguous wide channels capable of delivering gigabit-fast and affordable wireless connectivity,” the groups said: “Leaving the entire 5.9 GHz allocated for auto safety communication … would impose high costs on consumers with little return on the horizon.”