The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to split the 75 MHz of the formerly Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC) spectrum at 5.850 GHz-5.925 GHz, allocating the lower 45 MHz of the band for unlicensed use and the upper 30 MHz for intelligent transportation systems that must use cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) technology. The automotive industry opposed the change in allocation as it has long tried holding on to the exclusive use of the 5.9 GHz band although very little use was being made of the band, mostly in test and pilot projects.
C-V2X technology is expected to deliver the main features of the old DSRC technology while expanding its potential. C-V2X advocates anticipate that it will serve as the foundation for vehicles to communicate with a wide range of other vehicles and infrastructure around them, providing non-line-of-sight awareness, providing their operators with notice of changing driving conditions with a high level of predictability for enhanced road safety, and engaging in automated driving.
The NW 33 Innovation Corridor Council of Governments in Ohio protested in an FCC filing that after more than $105 million in public/private investments, their DSRC project was “having the proverbial rug pulled out from under it, just as it is to go operational.” Transportation users in the band have to vacate the lower 45 MHz within a year. Here is an opinion piece we found of interest regarding the FCC’s decision and its impact on intelligent transportation systems.
To Break an Impasse in Connected Vehicle Tech, Transportation Leaders Call for a Federal Policy Framework
In an opinion piece for Smart Cities Dive, “To break an impasse in connected vehicle tech, transportation leaders call for a federal policy framework,” Michael Brady, Senior Editor for Smart Cities Dive, discusses the FCC’s recent change for DSRC used by intelligent transportation systems from a dedicated 75 MHz of spectrum in the 5.9 GHz band to 30 MHz, effectively making DSRC obsolete. Now the only technology that can be used in the band is C-V2X, “which means any infrastructure that has already been deployed will no longer be useful,” according to Jon Peha, an engineering professor and expert on information networks at Carnegie Mellon University who previously served as the FCC’s chief technologist.
Industry experts suggest the U.S. Department of Transportation needs to take the lead on the issue by creating a national framework for connected vehicle technology that includes long-term protections for the remaining 30 MHz of spectrum. In addition, Brady notes that experts believe the FCC needs to do a complete analysis of the transportation industry’s spectrum requirements as they worry there will not be enough spectrum for vehicle-to-everything communications in the long term. Read the full article on Smart Cities Dive.
Disclosure: Fatty Fish is a research and advisory firm that engages or has engaged in research, analysis, and advisory services with many technology companies, including those mentioned in this article. The author does not hold any equity positions with any company mentioned in this article.
The Fatty Fish Editorial Team includes a diverse group of industry analysts, researchers, and advisors who spend most of their days diving into the most important topics impacting the future of the technology sector. Our team focuses on the potential impact of tech-related IP policy, legislation, regulation, and litigation, along with critical global and geostrategic trends — and delivers content that makes it easier for journalists, lobbyists, and policy makers to understand these issues.
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