NTIA Support Extension for Echodyne Waiver

NTIA urged that the FCC approve a five-year extension for Echodyne of a waiver of rules allowing ground-based use of its radar, which detects objects on the ground and in the air, using the 24.45-24.65 GHz band. The FCC Wireless Bureau sought comment on the request earlier this year (see 2402260041). The Department of Homeland Security holds 185 frequency assignments in the band for use through the U.S., NTIA said in a filing Friday in RM-11819. “DHS advises NTIA that these systems have proven invaluable in the detection and identification of small, unmanned aircraft systems used by drug-trafficking cartels and other nefarious actors intending to cause harm to United States infrastructure and residents,” the filing said: “These radar systems have been operating for over five years, with no reported cases of harmful interference to incumbent services in the band to the best of NTIA’s knowledge.”