Long-Awaited 5.9 GHz Joint Waiver Request Cleared by FCC

the FCC earlier this year but was awaiting NTIA review (see 2302020031). The joint request was filed by Audi of America, Ford, Jaguar Land Rover, the departments of transportation in Utah and Virginia, Aaeon Technology, Harman International Industries, Panasonic North America and other companies. In 2020, the FCC approved use of the top 30 MHz of the band for C-V2X (see 2011180043). The band had formally been set aside for dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) systems. “The underlying purpose of the Commission’s rules governing ITS [intelligent transportation system] operations would not be served by denying the Joint Waiver Request and thereby delaying or precluding C-V2X operations in the upper 30 megahertz of the 5.9 GHz band,” the Wireless Bureau said: “To deny the Joint Waiver Request and insist on application of the current DSRC-based rules would be contrary to the public interest as it would further entrench the DSRC technology the Commission determined needs to be replaced and preclude rapid deployment of the technology the Commission has identified as best suited to promote the most efficient and effective use of the spectrum.” NTIA had sought conditions for approval, and the waiver applicants agreed to adhere to the restrictions, the bureau said. Among them, devices are limited to equivalent isotropic radiated power (EIRP) of 33 dBm and on-board units are restricted to an EIRP of 27 dBm at ± 5 degrees in elevation from the horizontal plane. “This is a big deal,” emailed Hilary Cain, vice president-technology, innovation, & mobility policy at the Alliance for Automotive Innovation. “These waivers were a missing piece of the regulatory puzzle needed for automakers to deploy V2X -- a game-changing wireless safety technology enabling vehicles to see around corners, talk to other vehicles and communicate -- in real-time -- with pedestrians, bicyclists, traffic lights and infrastructure,” she said.