In a potentially groundbreaking move to facilitate the expanded use of smart automotive capabilities, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has recently issued a number of individual waivers permitting limited deployment of cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) technologies.
The FCC decision was issued in response to petitions from 17 separate state, local, and municipal transportation authorities across the country and two equipment manufacturers. Each individual petitioner sought a waiver of certain Part 90 and Part 95 rules that regulate the operation of dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) based roadside units and onboard units in the upper 30 megahertz of the 5.9 GHz band.
According to the petitioners, the waiver would allow for the deployment of C-V2X technologies within the 5.895-5.925 GHz band in support of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) operations.
In issuing its decision granting the individual waivers, the FCC stated that “the underlying purpose of the rules governing ITS operations would not be served by denying these requests and thereby delaying or precluding C-V2X operations.” Further, “a waiver in this case will facilitate early C-V2X deployment…and serves the public interest by encouraging the widespread deployment of ITS operations using C-V2X technology.”
