The FCC approves spectrum rules for automotive safety.
New alert: "Watch out for that car!"
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved new regulations regarding the spectrum that will boost vehicle communication technology known as C-V2X. This technology is based on existing cellular networks to send messages between vehicles, as well as between vehicles and infrastructure, cyclists, or pedestrians, with the aim of alerting each other to their presence and thus enhancing road safety. C-V2X could also warn of hazardous road conditions, such as high-speed vehicles, adverse weather conditions, or traffic congestion.
Jessica Rosenworcel, chairwoman of the FCC, stated that the agency’s initiatives will promote innovation in both wireless and transportation sectors, contributing to safety on the roads when people walk, bike, or drive. This regulation encourages the efficient use of 30 megahertz of spectrum, dedicated to Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), within the 5.9GHz band. Additionally, it establishes technical parameters for C-V2X, including power and emission limits, as well as prioritization for messages.
Several companies, including Ford, have been pursuing C-V2X technology for several years. The idea is for their cars and trucks to audibly alert drivers about the proximity of cyclists, and vice versa, as long as the cyclist is paying attention to their mobile device. In 2022, the FCC gained control over spectrum usage in the 5.9GHz band, which could be partially used for other technologies, such as expanding Wi-Fi. Automotive industry applicants wanted the entire band assigned to them, but the judge ruled that they failed to demonstrate “significant developments in the field of technologies that have yet to reach the market.”