• November 25, 2020

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The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted on November 18, 2020, to make more spectrum available for unlicensed uses, such as Wi-Fi and automobile safety, in the 5.9 GHz band (5.850-5.925 GHz). The FCC will allocate the lower 45 megahertz in the band for Wi-Fi while the upper 30 megahertz, making up the rest of the band, will be used to improve automotive safety via Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) technology.

According to the FCC, this new order will help meet the increasing demand we see for Wi-Fi in today’s society. This spectrum will support new, innovative broadband applications and enable increased capacity for gigabit Wi-Fi connectivity, by establishing a 160 MHz-wide channel with an adjacent, existing Wi-Fi band, for a variety of venues, like hospitals and small business, and consumers.

Along with Wi-Fi, the new rules implemented by the FCC are also intended to enhance automobile safety, specifically Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) services and C-V2X, the new standard for safety vehicular communications. With C-V2X as the new technology standard, we will soon see a transition away from Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC) services, which was the original technology standard for ITS services introduced over 20 years ago.

For more information about the FCC’s decision to make the 5.9 GHz spectrum available for Wi-Fi and C-V2X, read their latest press release!

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Sources:

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-368228A1.pdf

https://www.fiercewireless.com/regulatory/fcc-votes-to-open-5-9-ghz-for-wi-fi-c-v2x

https://www.nexttv.com/news/fcc-votes-to-drive-wifi-expansion

https://www.lightreading.com/4g3gwifi/fcc-votes-to-allow-wi-fi-c-v2x-in-59ghz/d/d-id/765536?

https://www.cnet.com/news/fcc-votes-to-free-up-5-9ghz-spectrum-for-wi-fi/