ITS America is stressing the need for additional 5.9 gigahertz band testing in the wake of an FCC report released yesterday that concluded that prototype unlicensed devices were able to detect dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) signals in testing in the FCC’s lab (TR Daily, Oct. 29).

The testing was done in the first of three planned phases. The second two phases, which have not begun yet, are scheduled to be done in the field.

ITS America President and Chief Executive Officer Shailen Bhatt said, “New and developing vehicle to everything (V2X) technology that depends on the 5.9 GHz spectrum band is allowing us to finally address the scourge of lives lost and ruined on our nation’s roads. Three years ago, Congress asked the FCC to conduct an open and transparent testing process to determine how to share the spectrum. The Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) is pleased the FCC has released initial results, but it must complete all testing – including phases in which connected vehicles perform in real-world environments – before taking action that could potentially jeopardize safety.”

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers said it is still reviewing the report. “We appreciate that the FCC has released the report which is long awaited and we’re committed to working with NHTSA, the FCC, and other stakeholders in preserving the DSRC Spectrum for ITS applications (safety of life) as well as developing means to maximize the public good to be derived from this Spectrum,” said Wade Newton, a spokesman for the group.

Meanwhile, the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association said in an ex parte filing in ET docket 13-49 that it supports NCTA’s recent call (TR Daily, Oct. 16) for the FCC to adopt a further notice of proposed rulemaking in the 5.9 GHz band proceeding or to otherwise seek to refresh the record. “To realize these benefits, it is important for the Commission to re-start the process by adopting a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking or a Public Notice seeking comments to refresh the record,” WISPA said. “In so doing, the Commission should not propose technical rules that would foreclose consideration of higher-EIRP operations similar to those used in the adjacent 5 GHz band and that will enable use of the 5.9 GHz band for rural broadband deployment. The long record of effective sharing among unlicensed devices in the 5 GHz and other unlicensed bands illustrates the ability of unlicensed devices of all types to co-exist.”- Paul Kirby, paul.kirby@wolterskluwer.com

Courtesy TRDaily