FCC reassigns transportation safety spectrum

From Transport Topics.

Despite pushback from transportation stakeholders and key policymakers on Capitol Hill, the Federal Communications Commission moved forward with its plan to reallocate some transportation safety spectrum for broadband uses.

The FCC on Nov. 18 voted to reassign a portion of the 5.9 GHz transportation safety band to allow use by unlicensed Wi-Fi content providers, an action the commission argued will promote wireless access. The move was meant to boost the economy during the pandemic era while continuing to ensure certain access for transportation safety purposes, regulators said.

“We have all made it clear that freeing up additional mid-band spectrum is critical to securing America’s leadership in wireless,” said FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr.

“By freeing up 45 MHz of this spectrum in the lower portion of this band, it will supersize WiFi — a technology so many of us are relying on like never before during this pandemic,” added FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel.

See the complete article from Transport Topics online.