Page 102 - SAMENA Trends - November-December 2019

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

FCC Drives 5.9 GHz Proposal for C-V2X, Wi-Fi Use Forward

on board, compared to more than 250 moving forward with the proposal to
million cars on the road. Changes to the allocate the upper 20 MHz of 5.9 GHz
5.9 GHz band have faced opposition from for C-V2X, as the 5G Auto Association
some, including the U.S. Department of proposed last year,” said Brenner in a
Transportation, which wanted the entire 75 statement. “This visionary FCC proposal
MHz to remain exclusive for transportation will enable us to bring the tremendous,
safety. Pai said the proposal balances both unmatched safety benefits from C-V2X to
unlicensed wireless innovation and auto U.S. drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.
safety technology. In terms of the lower 45 We will continue to work with the FCC and
MHz, Commissioner Brendan Carr noted all other stakeholders to get C-V2X on the
the 5.9 GHz portion open for Wi-Fi could be air as quickly and broadly as possible.”
combined with similar adjacent spectrum WifiForward in a statement called the vote
in the 5 GHz band, together enabling “win-win” for both broadband innovation
The Federal Communications Commission the first contiguous 160 MHz channel and safety communications. “Wi-Fi already
(FCC) voted unanimously to advance for unlicensed devices. He also pointed carries the majority of all internet traffic,
a proposal that would reallocate large to 5G and the need for more unlicensed and this NPRM helps ensure that enough
portions of the 5.9 GHz band, dedicating spectrum. “To stimulate the services, spectrum is available as Wi-Fi carries
spectrum to both unlicensed and C-V2X devices, and ultimately the networks even more traffic during the 5G rollout,”
technologies. For two decades, 75 MHz that make 5G meaningful to everyday said WifiForward in a statement. The Wi-
of the 5.9 GHz band has been designated Americans, we must have a 5G ecosystem Fi Alliance said it was an important step
to dedicated short range communications that works everywhere Americans are,” toward addressing the growing need for
(DSRC), but the agency is looking to revise Carr said. “5G services must work just as unlicensed spectrum for Wi-Fi use, adding:
rules, noting progress on DSRC has been well at home and in the car, at a coffee “We look forward to reviewing this 5.9 GHz
stalled for many years. The Notice of shop or in a park. And that means we will Band proposal in detail, and continuing
Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) would need a lot of unlicensed spectrum to help to support the Commission in this and
make the lower 45 MHz (5.85-5.895 power 5G devices.” Rosenworcel noted other initiatives that will deliver necessary
GHz) available for unlicensed use, which that 70% of 5G traffic is expected to be mid-band spectrum to preserve Wi-Fi
Chairman Ajit Pai said will “fully realize offloaded onto Wi-Fi, and said the proposal connectivity for millions of Americans.”
Wi-Fi’s potential.” Digital refunds bring will help development of next-generation Michael Calabrese, director of the Wireless
the chance to lower costs, eliminate your gigabit Wi-Fi. Movement on the 5.9 GHz Future Project at New America’s Open
administrative burden, and even drive band is seen as a win for the Wi-Fi industry, Technology Institute, in a statement
customer winback. The Wirecard Refunds auto-makers like Ford, and others, with said that expanding unlicensed use is
Report reveals how to transform refunds many, including cable operators Charter essential part of a robust 5G ecosystem.
from an afterthought to a competitive and Comcast, applauding the move. “The “Wi-Fi already generates hundreds of
advantage. Under the NPRM, the upper 30 strong bipartisan support for this item billions of dollars for the U.S. economy
MHz (5.895-5.925) of the 5.9 GHz band speaks volumes about the importance each year as it’s become the primary way
would be kept exclusive for transportation of this proceeding. The Commission’s that consumers and business access
and vehicle safety, notably with 20 MHz of compromise proposal is a major step data on mobile devices,” said Calabrese.
that (5.905-5.925) dedicated specifically toward delivering next-generation “High-capacity Wi-Fi is also increasingly
for newer Cellular Vehicle to Everything broadband connectivity and strengthening essential to schools, libraries and other
(C-V2X) technologies that have been the foundation for 5G, while clearing community anchor institutions.” At its
championed by the likes of Qualcomm. the path for modern automotive-safety December 12 open meeting, the FCC also
The agency will seek comment on whether technologies,” said Tony Werner, president, voted unanimously to designate 988 as
to allocate the remaining upper 10 MHz TPX – Technology, Product, Xperience of the three-digit number for national suicide
to C-V2X or leave it for DSRC. The FCC Comcast Cable, in a statement. Ford, which prevention and mental health crisis
said slow traction on DSRC prompted has been one of the biggest proponents hotline, echoing the familiar 911 number
the need for changes and that under of C-V2X over DSRC, previously touted that’s known for emergencies. The agency
current commission rules no spectrum changes to 5.9 GHz, saying: “Without this also proposed changes to the 3.1-3.55
is allocated for C-V2X. Commissioner proceeding, C-V2X cannot be deployed.” GHz band, as what it called a first step in
Jessica Rosenworcel was strongly in favor Qualcomm has been working on C-V2X making spectrum in the band available for
of the proposal and said technologies with Ford, and Dean Brenner, Qualcomm’s advanced commercial services, including
for communication between vehicles SVP of Spectrum Strategy & Technology 5G.
have moved beyond DSCR, noting only Policy, also cheered the move. “Qualcomm
a few thousand vehicles have DSRC is very pleased that the FCC approved

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