FCC Releases Draft 5.9 GHz NPRM, Other Items Set for Vote at Dec. 12 Meeting
The FCC’s draft NPRM on the 5.9 GHz band says segmenting the band, with 45 MHz allocated for Wi-Fi and other unlicensed and 30 MHz for intelligent transportation systems, is the best approach to the long underutilized band. ITS “remains a critical priority” but times have changed since the FCC allocated spectrum for dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) 20 years ago, the draft says. The agency released items set for a vote at commissioners' Dec. 12 meeting. They include media and suicide prevention hotline actions and an NPRM on clearing the 3.3-3.55 GHz band.
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The 5.9 GHz draft doesn’t provide much insight on negotiations between the FCC and the Department of Transportation in the months since Chairman Ajit Pai scuttled the initial Further NPRM in response to DOT concerns (see 1906180072). The FCC laid out the proposal in detail Wednesday. DOT then argued the entire band should be set aside for safety (see 1911200055).
“This 45/30 megahertz split for unlicensed devices and ITS applications is intended to optimize the use of spectrum resources in the 5.9 GHz band by enabling valuable additions and enhancements to the unlicensed ecosystem and by continuing to dedicate sufficient spectrum to meet current and future ITS needs within the vehicular-related ecosystem,” the NPRM says. “This proposal seeks to provide the spectrum necessary for unlicensed operations to implement the widest, highest throughput channel permitted by industry-developed standards … while clarifying the technical rules and eliminating uncertainty for the development and deployment of ITS applications.”
The NPRM questions the viability of continuing to use the band for DSRC. DSRC “has evolved slowly and has not been widely deployed within the consumer automobile market,” the draft says. It “has seen only limited deployment, and much of it appears to be supported by grants for demonstration projects or limited deployment.”
Other alternatives have emerged, the FCC argues: “Long-range radar systems in the 76-81 GHz band are especially useful for automatic emergency braking systems and adaptive cruise control systems.” Cellular vehicle to everything (C-V2X) “has been gaining momentum as a means of providing transportation and vehicle safety-related communications and has the support of many of the world’s automotive interests.”
The draft notes growing importance of Wi-Fi and other unlicensed services. In combination with the adjacent 5.725-5.825 GHz U-NII-3 band, 5.9 GHz would “enable the first contiguous 160 megahertz channel for U-NII devices,” the FCC says. “Our proposal to make a 160 megahertz channel available for use without dynamic frequency selection continues the U.S.’s role as an innovator and global spectrum policy leader.”
The draft NPRM on the 3.3-3.55 GHz band is short and notes the goal is to satisfy a Mobile Now Act requirement. “We propose to remove the existing non-federal secondary radiolocation and amateur allocations in the 3.3-3.55 GHz band and to relocate incumbent non-federal operations out of the band, in order to prepare the band for possible future shared use between commercial wireless services and federal incumbents,” the draft says: “We also seek comment on relocation options and transition mechanisms for incumbent non-federal operations.” Moving the allocations would take “an important initial step towards satisfying Congress’s directives and making as much as 250 megahertz of spectrum from this band potentially available for advanced wireless services, including 5G,” the draft says.
Telecom carriers and interconnected VoIP service providers would have an 18-month deadline to allow use of 988 for calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, under the draft NPRM. It seeks comment whether using an N11 code instead would lead to big delays since all those codes are widely used. It estimates 6,000 local exchange switches and remotes would need replacement or software upgrades to direct 988 calls, asking how to handle the 95 area codes using both seven-digit dialing and 988 as a prefix. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said earlier this week a 988 NPRM would be on the December agenda (see 1911190054).
Cable operators might have to notify local franchise authorities of rate and service changes only if required by the LFA under the 30-day notice draft NPRM. It would make clear cable operators have no obligation to notify subscribers 30 days before changes due to programming negotiations breaking down in that time before contract expiration. Instead, subscribers would have to be notified "as soon as possible," the FCC says. Such notices would be "clearer and more meaningful," it says, seeking comment on means for notifying subscribers. The agency questions how LFA notices are of value since almost no localities can regulate basic tier rates.
Commissioners will vote on a draft remand and declaratory ruling on VoIP symmetry for the Connect America Fund in docket 10-90 to develop a unified intercarrier compensation regime. It proposes the ruling have retroactive effect to clarify past behavior. It rejects assertions that would result in "manifest injustice."
The draft order on streamlining noncommercial and low-power FM license rules would eliminate requirements for certain certifications in governing documents, alter the processes for tie-breakers, and extend the construction period for LPFM stations to three years, among other changes. General industry support is expected. The item isn't expected to be controversial among commissioners, an FCC official said.