The Federal Communications Commission today voted to add 45MHz spectrum to Wi-Fi in a slightly controversial decision that keeps the spectrum away from the little-used om tomobile-safety technology.
Spectrum from 5.850GHz to 5.925GHz, for nearly 20 years, has been set aside for Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC), a vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications service that warns drivers of dangers. Way. But, FCC President Ajit Pai said today that “99.9943 per cent of the 274 million vehicles registered on the road in the United States are still not DSRC’s on-board units.” Only 15,506 vehicles are equipped with the technology, he said.
In today’s decision, the FCC split the spectrum band, turning part of it into Wi-Fi and again part of it into new vehicle technology. Lower 45MHz from 5.850GHz to 5.895GHz will be allocated for Wi-Fi and other unlicensed services.
The FCC said the impact of this spectrum will be further enhanced by the fact that it is next to the existing Wi-Fi band, which, when connected to the 45 MHz available today, will support the cutting edge broadband application. “These high-throughput channels – up to 160 MHz wide – will enable Gigabyte Wi-Fi connectivity for schools, hospitals, small businesses and other customers.”
The FCC said “full-power indoor unlicensed operations” are authorized immediately, while in some circumstances “outdoor unlicensed use” will be allowed on an integrated basis. The FCC ordered DSRC services to vacate the lower 45 MHz in one year.
The other 30 MHz currently allocated to DSRC is set aside for a new vehicle-safety technology called Cellular Vehicle-to-Ever (C-V2X). “Today’s move marks the beginning of a transition away from DSRC services – which are not compatible with CT-V2X – to speed up the actual deployment of ITS [Intelligent Transportation Systems] Services that will improve automotive safety, the FCC said.
The FCC will still have to finalize technical rules for outdoor licensing operations on the lower 45 MHz and how to transition from the DSRC to the upper 30 MHz in the C-V2X.
Controversy over the Trump / Biden transition
Spectrum action had bipartisan support but was somewhat controversial due to its timing. Democrats in Congress last week urged Pine to “immediately stop working on all partisan, controversial things” in recognition of Joe Biden’s election victory over President Donald Trump. It will follow the practice of the past in which the FCC only works on consent and administrative matters in the period between the election and the inauguration when control of the White House shifts from Republican to Democrat or vice versa.
Pie has not publicly committed to stopping work on the disputed items. But Spectrum’s decision is less controversial than many of the FCC’s other actions. Spectrum change is supported by all five FCC commissioners, both Republicans and Democrats. But, instead of explicitly approving, the two Democratic commissioners voted for a “compromise”, saying the FCC should wait longer to resolve disputes with other federal agencies.
US Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash) Pine requested yesterday The issue said the proposal “does not adequately address the numerous questions raised by stakeholders, especially issues raised by other federal agencies such as the Department of Transportation (DOT).”
“Further, with the next change in the leadership of the administration and the FCC, your agency should not move forward on complex and controversial issues that would be of interest to the new Congress and the new administration,” Cantwell argued. To address their concerns before deciding on a rule that could have a significant and detrimental effect on transport safety. “
“Repent”
Both FCC Democrats Jessica Rosenversell and J. Off Free Stark said in today’s meeting that the FCC should comply with Cantwell’s request. Rosenversell called it “regrettable” that the decision was “less than the unanimous support of our federal partners.” Stars said he is disappointed that once again, different agencies of the same administration cannot come to the same page. “
“We should take more time to clarify this as we have been asked to do by a ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee,” Rosenvers said.
The DOT wrote a letter to Pine on November 6 arguing that 30 MHz was not enough for vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications, and the FCC prematurely announced that the C-V2X would replace the DSRC:
Choosing to cast FCC Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC), which is already deployed in vehicles and infrastructure across the country, and harming the V2X by opting to adopt cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) . ) As the only permissible technology to support V2X applications.
Other opponents of the plan include the 5G Autotomotive Association (5GAA), the Alliance for Autotomotive Innovation, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the Car 2 Car Communication Consortium (Car 2 Car) and Toyota. The FCC said these organizations “generally argue that all 75 MHz is required for ITS.” But Pae said currently only 20 MHz out of the 5.9GHz band is dedicated to security applications.
Spectrum “will supersize Wi-Fi”
Despite the objections, there is a lot of support for spectrum reallocation among the parties who often disagree on controversial telecom-regulation matters. Consumer advocacy group Public Knowledge applauded the vote, saying “existing devices will be allowed to support the gigabyte Wi-Fi needed for telemedicine, multiple learning streams and other valuable services” and “allow a dramatic increase in wireless internet service providers in rural areas.” Stability and bandwidth of home connections. “
Cable-lobby group NCTA also backed the FCC’s decision, saying “a sensible compromise would bring faster Wi-Fi into American homes and businesses when they need it most.”
U.S. Rep. Anna Ishu (D-Calif.) Agreed that “the epidemic has made it clear that American telehealth relies on Wi-Fi for remote learning and working from home” and that it is an “undeveloped spectrum of unlicensed spectrum of work.” Policy that helps Americans deliver better home Internet experiences.
“Given the balanced approach we are taking today, we are pleased with the support given to citizens in the political spectrum of public knowledge against the Open Technologies and G Institute and the Government Waste, Freedom Works and National Taxpayers Union.” He praised the support of broadband and Wi-Fi industry groups, support from congressional Democrats, and “recognizing the automotive interests that lie ahead that our decision today paves the way for C-V2X deployments.”
“Demonstrative” requests
Pie said requests for delays are only “demonstrative.” He said the sad fact is that the DSRC has done virtually nothing to improve vehicle safety. “Some corporate corporate interests will not be able to sit on this spectrum for this spectrum and expect to maintain pride in it by giving the empty slogan of ‘safety spectrum’. Almost two decades of failure is more than enough.”
The new 45 MHz can be combined to form a larger block with an attached 5.725-5.850GHz band “which can accommodate a variety of options, including two 80-MHz Wi-Fi channels, four 40-MHz Wi-Fi channels or a single. “160 MHz Wi-Fi channel,” the FCC said.
Although Democrats vowed to wait for Pine until the presidential transition, they have positive words for the proposal. Releasing MH MHz will supervise Wi-Fi, a technology many of us have never relied on before. Stars called the spectrum reassignment an important step toward reducing congestion “and ensures that we realize the full potential of our broadband connections.” In addition to improving home Wi-Fi, the additional 45 MHz will benefit public Wi-Fi networks on which many people rely without good internet access at home, he said.
