On November 18, 2020, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted rules to repurpose 45 megahertz of spectrum in the 5.850-5.895 GHz band for unlicensed use and allow immediate access for unlicensed indoor operations across the 5.850-5.895 GHz band. As part of this order, the FCC rules would require the transition of the ITS radio service standard from DSRC-based technology to C-V2Xbased technology, subject to a transition period.
5G Americas issued the following statement regarding the rules change:
5G Americas is pleased the FCC has chosen to update rules involving Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) for Intelligent Transportation Systems, allowing the US to join other leading nations in fostering a global ecosystem for this superior connected vehicle technology. American consumers will benefit from a safer connected-car experience, new Vehicle-to-Infrastructure services and more broadband applications, now that C-V2X may be deployed. 5G Americas believes this technology will be quickly adopted, as C-V2X is standardized, tested, and ready for commercial deployment.
In 1999, the Commission reserved 75 megahertz in the 5.9 GHz band (5.850-5.925 GHz)
for Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) services and designated Dedicated Short-Range
Communications (DSRC) as the technological standard for safety-related transportation and vehicular
communications. Since that time, however, DSRC has barely been deployed, so this prime, mid-band
spectrum has gone largely unused. Recently, cellular vehicle to everything (C-V2X), a newer radio
technology standard incompatible with DSRC technology, has gained momentum both domestically and
internationally as a means of providing safety-related transportation and vehicular communications.
Meanwhile, demand for access to mid-band spectrum for unlicensed applications has grown
substantially. Unlicensed services such as Wi-Fi provide wireless connectivity for countless products
used by American consumers, and Wireless Internet Service Providers use unlicensed spectrum to
provide broadband connectivity in rural and underserved areas.
In December 2019, the Commission initiated a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to take a fresh look at the 5.9 GHz band rules to ensure the spectrum supports its highest and best use.