Skip to main content

ITS America statement on FCC proposed spectrum sharing

In response to recent comments by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, and the ongoing study of spectrum sharing being undertaken by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) urged spectrum policymakers not to fast track a decision on opening the 5.9 GHz band to unlicensed users. A complete record and fair opportunity for all affected parties to participate in the process needs to be addressed, particularly since life-saving v
January 21, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
In response to recent comments by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, and the ongoing study of spectrum sharing being undertaken by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (560 ITS America) urged spectrum policymakers not to fast track a decision on opening the 5.9 GHz band to unlicensed users. A complete record and fair opportunity for all affected parties to participate in the process needs to be addressed, particularly since life-saving vehicle safety technologies are on the line.

Scott Belcher, president and CEO of ITS America said, “We understand and support the effort by the 2115 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to identify spectrum that may be utilised to ease the broadband shortage resulting from the proliferation of wireless services and devices,” Belcher said. “We recognise that sharing within the 5.9 GHz band should be explored. However, policymakers should be mindful not to fast track a decision without a complete record and fair opportunity for all affected parties to participate in the process, particularly when life-saving vehicle technologies are on the line.”

The 324 US Department of Transportation (DOT) estimates that a connected vehicle network, which relies on the 5.9 GHz band and is currently being tested with nearly 3,000 vehicles in Ann Arbor Michigan, could address at least 80 percent of all unimpaired vehicle crash scenarios, saving many thousands of lives each year.

ITS America, the 2094 Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the 4946 Association of Global Automakers, the 4944 American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and other transportation and high-tech leaders sent a letter requesting that the NTIA involve the transportation community in the development of NTIA’s position regarding spectrum sharing within the 5.9 GHz band. The joint letter to the NTIA is online at http://db.tt/0ic046ha.

“As Chairman Genachowski acknowledged, the 5 GHz band is already used for other purposes by federal and non-federal users, requiring significant collaboration with other federal agencies in order to move forward. We look forward to working with the FCC, NTIA, USDOT and the stakeholder community to find solutions to the spectrum shortage while continuing to advance life-saving innovations,” Belcher said.

Related Content

  • Verizon chairman and CEO to provide keynote speech at 2014 ITS World Congress
    April 4, 2014
    Verizon Communications chairman and chief executive officer Lowell McAdam will deliver a keynote address at the 2014 World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems, sharing his company’s vision for the role technology plays in the future of transportation. McAdam’s keynote is slated for Tuesday, 9 September, at 8.30 am in Detroit, Michigan, in the ballroom of Cobo Center. Additional speakers will be announced in the coming weeks. “With the rapid evolution of mobile broadband networks and machine-t
  • ITS America’s new VP for membership and development
    April 4, 2013
    The Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) today announced the hire of Sabrina Sussman as the association’s vice president for Membership and Development. Previously with the US Department of Transportation, Sussman will lead the strategic planning efforts and enactment of the ITS America Leadership Circle, as well as manage member recruitment, retention and services. ITS America’s president and CEO Scott Belcher stated, “Sabrina’s unique combination of transportation policy, strategic
  • USDoT and Leidos team up to protect pedestrians
    April 27, 2023
    A public, private partnership between the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Leidos is laser focused on improving pedestrian safety. The resulting Saxton Transportation Operations Laboratory (STOL) in McLean, Vir. is demonstrating its crosswalk perception solution in the exhibit hall at this week’s ITS America Conference & Expo.
  • C-ITS in the EU: ‘A little tribal’
    April 1, 2019
    As the C-ITS Delegated Act begins its journey through the European policy maze, Adam Hill looks at who is expecting what from this proposed framework for connected vehicles – and why some people are insisting that the lawmakers are already getting things wrong here are furrowed brows in Brussels and Strasbourg as European Union legislators begin to consider the rules which will underpin future services such as connected vehicles. The idea is to create a regulatory framework to harmonise cooperative ITS