Right of the Dial: FCC May Open Automotive Safety Radio Frequency for Telecom Use

Matt Posky
by Matt Posky

The Federal Communications Commission has decided to review how the radio spectrum intended for wireless communications should be divided. While a seemingly normal part of its duties, the reassessment could open up a part of the spectrum that was previously reserved for automotive applications. The super-high 5.9 GHz frequency reserved for cars was deemed important because it would help enable low-power connectivity in remote and high-density areas, allowing for vehicles to more reliably transmit information between each other and the infrastructure. This was framed by the interested parties as essential for helping to develop safe, autonomous driving systems but it could likely also work to aid any data-based services they offer in the future.

Meanwhile, cable companies, the telecom industry, and internet service providers (ISPs) don’t think it’s fair that automakers are getting their own slice of bandwidth when they’re not even using it yet. Carmakers have been working on vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure, and dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) for years without much in the way of consumer applications.

Based on the FCC’s previous decision regarding net neutrality, which some automakers supported, telecom and cable companies definitely enjoy what one could conservatively call a strong relationship with the government agency. FCC chairman Ajit Pai, has already moved to open the spectrum for unlicensed usage, meaning various industries would be able to utilize more of the bandwidth without prior approval.

Roger Lanctot, an analyst with Strategy Analytics, recently told Automotive News that the FCC sees mobile data and ISPs taking “a higher priority than protecting spectrum for safety applications.” He continued by noting any “decision the FCC has to make will impact both cellular and DSRC.”

Automakers inability to populate their portion of the bandwidth in a timely manner is likely what’s doing them in now. Spectrum allocation has been taking place since the 1990s, but manufacturers are only just starting to get into developing widespread systems that might actively utilize it.

“At the time of the allocation, we did not have the commercial applications or new radar technologies that can play a key role in improving highway safety and thus saving lives,” Pai said in July. “My hope is that we make a smart decision quickly to allow this spectrum to directly benefit consumers.”

But there’s an issue; DSRC is starting to be implemented in cities across the country. According to regulators, there’s already $38 million worth of connected infrastructure investment planned by 2020 across federal, state and local governments. Those systems could do everything from helping busy city streets self-regulate traffic flow using adaptive traffic lights to allowing the local police to track what your vehicle is doing in any given moment — depending on whether you like the utopian or dystopian angle more.

While the FCC’s decision wouldn’t prohibit DSRC from being utilized on automobiles, it may force vehicles to share bandwidth with cellular networks and the like. The primary concern here is that unfettered access would make those systems less reliable, which is important for something that is supposed to function as a safety net for drivers using advanced tech.

The FCC has announced it will vote to make unlicensed usage of the 6.0 GHz band available, spanning from about 5.9 GHz to 7.1 GHz, for mobile devices, etc, later this month — following some aggressive lobbying on behalf of the Internet & Television Association (NCTA). Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Transportation has said it wants to continue reserving a potion of the spectrum for automotive safety applications.

Matt Posky
Matt Posky

A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.

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  • Thelaine Thelaine on Oct 22, 2018

    Seems like a good idea to allocate bandwidth to those who will use it. However, TDS means it must be the result of a dirty payoff.

  • Operagost Operagost on Oct 22, 2018

    They screwed musicians repeatedly by giving away the wireless mic bands twice, so I guess they figured they'd screw a different industry in favor of telecoms this time.

  • MaintenanceCosts It's not a Benz or a Jag / it's a 5-0 with a rag /And I don't wanna brag / but I could never be stag
  • 3-On-The-Tree Son has a 2016 Mustang GT 5.0 and I have a 2009 C6 Corvette LS3 6spd. And on paper they are pretty close.
  • 3-On-The-Tree Same as the Land Cruiser, emissions. I have a 1985 FJ60 Land Cruiser and it’s a beast off-roading.
  • CanadaCraig I would like for this anniversary special to be a bare-bones Plain-Jane model offered in Dynasty Green and Vintage Burgundy.
  • ToolGuy Ford is good at drifting all right... 😉
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