FCC Approves Revised Rules for Safety Use of 5.9 Band

The FCC on Thursday adopted long-awaited final rules for cellular-vehicle-to-everything technology in the 5.9 GHz band. “These rules will improve transportation safety and permit more efficient mobility as this advanced communications technology is integrated into vehicles and infrastructure,” said a news release. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel circulated proposed rules in July.

The FCC changed the rules for the spectrum in October 2020, reallocating the 5.9 GHz band to sharing between Wi-Fi and C-V2X, with no set-aside for dedicated short-range communications (DSRC), the historical allocation for the spectrum.

“We further address the transition of 5.9 GHz … operations from DSRC to C-V2X by codifying C-V2X technical parameters in the Commission’s rules, including band usage, message priority, and channel bandwidth,” the order said: “We promulgate rules governing equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP) and out-of-band emissions (OOBE) limits for C-V2X on-board units (OBUs) and roadside units (RSUs), and antenna height limits for RSUs.”

“The FCC’s efforts to evolve the 5.9 GHz band are a win-win,” Rosenworcel said. “It drives innovation in our wireless and transportation economies and can help keep us safe on our roadways when we walk, ride and drive.”