FCC seeking comments on opening up 5 GHz band

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking comments on a proposed rule that would make the 5.85-5.925 GHz band of spectrum available for expanded wi-fi services. The band is currently dedicated to uses associated with connected vehicle programs. FCC officials announced earlier this year that the commission is seeking to open up the 5 GHz band in order to alleviate wi-fi congestion at major hubs, such as airports and convention centres. However, there are concerns that the technology to prevent
April 15, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
The 2115 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking comments on a proposed rule that would make the 5.85-5.925 GHz band of spectrum available for expanded wi-fi services. The band is currently dedicated to uses associated with connected vehicle programs.

FCC officials announced earlier this year that the commission is seeking to open up the 5 GHz band in order to alleviate wi-fi congestion at major hubs, such as airports and convention centres.  However, there are concerns that the technology to prevent interference isn't mature yet.

The 4944 American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, joined by other transportation, technology, and safety groups, has urged protection of the 5.9 GHz band of spectrum so that it could be used for the connected vehicle technology.

The 324 US Department of Transportation (USDOT) connected vehicle program relies on the 5.9GHz band spectrum to transmit the messages that provide key safety information on vehicle position, speed, weather, road conditions, and traffic signal timing.  USDOT is currently in the process of testing connected vehicle technology, a multimodal initiative that will allow for wireless communications between vehicles, transportation infrastructure, and passenger communication devices. While still in early phases, proponents believe the technology will greatly increase safety, through vehicle crash prevention applications, improve mobility by allowing drivers to make choices that reduce delays, and improve the environment through less wasted fuel.

The public is free to comment on the proposed rule until 28 May.

Related Content

  • Healthy prospects for floating vehicle data systems
    February 3, 2012
    Elmar Brockfeld, Alexander Sohr and Peter Wagner from the German Aerospace Center's Institute of Transport Systems look at the prospects for floating vehicle data systems. Although Floating Vehicle Data (FVD) or probe vehicle fleets have been around for about a decade, the idea behind them is of course much older: from probe vehicles that flow with the traffic it should be possible to get a precise, fast and spatially near-complete picture of the prevailing traffic flow conditions in an area under surveilla
    Read More
  • Regulation time-lag will hit driverless technology hard says leading consultancy BDO
    August 8, 2018
    The legislation surrounding driverless cars is lagging so far behind the technology involved that the industry is unlikely to see a regulatory framework in place any time soon says leading international business, finance and taxation consultancy BDO. And IEEE, "the world’s largest technical professional organisation dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity" can only see problems ahead as the politicians fall further and further behind. BDO has been looking at a report from www.Spectr
    Read More
  • Carbon finance delivers critical support to mass transit schemes
    February 2, 2012
    David Crawford investigates carbon finance in transport. World Bank carbon finance grants are delivering critical support to major mass transit deployments in emerging and developing economies. Only recently operative in the transport sector, the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM, see panel) is designed to generate additional income streams and improve internal rates of return on projects funded from public- and private-sector sources.
    Read More
  • AVs light up New South Wales V2I trial
    August 23, 2024
    Two self-driving vehicles are linking with Scats technology in Sydney collaboration
    Read More

Highlighted Content