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

  • Shailen Bhatt appointed ITS America President & CEO
    October 27, 2017
    The Board of directors of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America has chosen Shailen Bhatt as president & chief executive officer. Bhatt joins ITS America with an extensive background in promoting and advocating for intelligent transportation and was most recently executive director of Colorado Department of Transportation. Bhatt also focused on deploying transportation technology, creating the RoadX program and making Colorado a national innovation leader.
  • ITS America unveils future ITS roadmap
    February 9, 2017
    The Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) has released its public policy roadmap, The Road Ahead: The Next Generation of Mobility, providing policy recommendations on how to advance the research and deployment of transformational and intelligent transportation technologies. In particular, the roadmap provides recommendations on the policy issues shaping the next generation of transportation driven by robotics, automation, artificial intelligence, wireless communications and cloud co
  • $60m in grants from USDoT for V2X deployment
    June 27, 2024
    Arizona, Texas and Utah receive money to improved connectivity and transportation
  • Vendor's eye view of US economic stimulus programme
    March 12, 2012
    Pete Goldin explores the impact of the US economic stimulus programme on the ITS industry from the ITS vendor perspective