FCC Spectrum Proposal Moves Forward, NAFA Voices Strong Concerns
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The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted unanimously on December 12 to move forward with a proposed rule to open up the 5.9 GHz wireless safety spectrum to non-transportation use.
NAFA has expressed strong concerns with the FCC proposal. In 1999, the FCC designated the 5.9 GHz band to be used for vehicle and infrastructure communications. Since then, auto manufacturers and infrastructure engineers have been working to develop smart technologies that rely on that open window of public airwaves. Vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology enables a car to communicate with its surroundings. Using either dedicated short-range radio or cellular technology, connected vehicles can provide drivers with instant, highly-accurate warnings to impending crash situations. NHTSA estimates this could reduce the number and severity of unimpaired motor vehicle crashes by up to 80%.
These technologies present a significant tool for fleet managers to go beyond managing risks to actively eliminating accidents and fatalities through the avoidance of operator error by other drivers on the road.
In addition to NAFA, the FCC’s proposal has drawn strong push back from the automobile manufacturers, safety advocates, and state highway officials, as well as from congressional leaders.
- Joint Auto Alliance-Global Automakers Statement on 5.9 GHz Safety Spectrum
- Following the decision, FCC Chair Ajit Pai's office issued a statement.
