DeFazio Brings FCC Auto Safety Spectrum Concerns to Buttigieg

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House Transportation Chair Peter DeFazio (D-OR) is raising concerns about the FCC’s November vote on 5.9 GHz. Despite pushback from transportation stakeholders and key policymakers on Capitol Hill, the agency voted to reassign a portion of the 5.9 GHz transportation safety band to allow use by unlicensed WiFi content providers, Inside Towers reported.

At the time, the Commission said the action would 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 at the time, noted Transport Topics.  

Specifically, the agency mandated the lower 45 MHz portion of the 5.9 GHz band to serve unlicensed content. Intelligent transportation system services users have a year to vacate the lower end of the band. According to the new rule, the remaining upper 30 MHz of the 5.9 GHz band will begin transitioning to the cellular vehicle-to-everything, or C-V2X, technology standard over the existing dedicated short-range communications, or DSRC, standard.

The Oregon Democrat told Acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel Thursday he brought up the issue with new Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who is testifying before DeFazio’s committee this week. DeFazio opposed the FCC vote at the time and remains “deeply disturbed,” the agency ignored DoT concerns, Politico reported. He “would welcome a discussion with [Rosenworcel] directly,” he told her, hoping she brings a “more measured approach.” 

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