Skip to main content

CVSA urges FCC to reserve V2X spectrum

Non-profit group joins chorus of disapproval against US regulator's moves on 5.9 GHz
By Ben Spencer August 10, 2020 Read time: 2 mins
FCC urged to keep spectrum for V2X (© BiancoBlue | Dreamstime.com)

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is urging the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to reserve the spectrum required to support Vehicle to Everything (V2X) technologies.

V2X technologies use a spectrum in the 5.9 GHz band which is currently used solely for transportation safety communications. 

The non-profit association says the FCC is considering giving away the majority of these airwaves to the Wi-Fi industry, which threatens the progress and stability of V2X technologies. 

It is the latest in a long line of transport groups, led by ITS America, which has been similarly vocal in their concerns about 5.9 GHz - indeed, CVSA was a joint signatory on a letter to that effect.

CVSA believes the FCC's proposal does not leave enough spectrum for V2X technologies and would likely result in significant interference for V2X activity in the remaining spectrum. 

Earlier this year, the GVSA submitted comments to the FCC opposing any action to relocate the spectrum away from transportation communications without clear evidence that it would not negatively impact V2X capabilities.

It stated the FCC should keep the current 75 MHz allocation for transportation communications in the 5.9 GHz band, fostering the potential and functionality of V2X technologies.

Collin Mooney, CVSA executive director, says: “Each crash on our roadways is associated with real-world costs – physical, emotional and financial – for the loved ones of those who are killed or injured. Working to prevent such loss is an important priority to CVSA and should be a top priority of federal policymakers.”

“We should fully deploy V2X technologies to significantly reduce traffic deaths and injuries in our communities. When our families are on our roads, we want to know that every tool available is being employed to keep them safe,” he adds. 

 


 

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • US pedestrian deaths highest since 1988, says GHSA
    March 13, 2020
    The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) said that 6,590 pedestrian fatalities occurred in the US during 2019 - the highest number in more than 30 years. 
  • Politicisation of US transportation funding
    October 13, 2015
    Andrew Bardin Williams looks at how a political stalemate and a series of short-term fixes is undermining America’s highway funding and curtailing long-term planning. It was a week before the deadline to renew funding for the Highway Trust Fund, and the clock was ticking.
  • AT&T, Ford, Nokia and Qualcomm Technologies to test C-V2X in U.S.
    November 3, 2017
    American Telephone & Telegraph (AT&T), Ford, Nokia and Qualcomm Technologies are teaming up with the intention of accelerating the development of connected cars by trailing Cellular-V2X (C-V2X) technologies in the U.S. These tests are aimed at showing automakers and road operators the anticipated cost-efficient benefits associated with embedded C-V2X in vehicles and synergies between the deployment of cellular base stations and roadside infrastructure. Initial testing is expected to begin later this year.
  • BlackBerry’s Jeff Davis: ‘Hands off 5.9GHz!’
    September 25, 2019
    As a US Marine, BlackBerry’s Jeff Davis saw the world’s trouble spots. But much of his attention is now focused on what he sees as the ITS sector’s biggest issue: cybersecurity. Adam Hill finds out more Oh, I often feel I’m the dumbest guy in the room,” laughs Jeff Davis, senior director, connected transportation, at BlackBerry. It’s hard to credit this. Davis has a range of experience that sets him apart from most people in the ITS sector. He was in the US Marine Corps, with seven tours of duty, inclu