December 3, 2019: FCC Announces vote on a proposal to split the 5.9 GHz spectrum between automotive safety use and Wi-Fi use

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai announced that the agency will vote on December 12 on a proposal to split the 5.9 GHz spectrum between automotive safety use and Wi-Fi use. “A lot of people are wondering whether this valuable spectrum—a public resource—is really being put to its best use,” Pai said in remarks later published on the FCC’s website. “In my view, it clearly is not. After 20 years of seeing these prime airwaves go largely unused, the time has come for the FCC to take a fresh look at the 5.9 GHz band. And I’m pleased to announce that today, I shared with my FCC colleagues a proposal to end the uncertainty around the 5.9 GHz band and set a path for the deployment of new services.” FCC’s draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that the Commission will consider is here: ET Docket No. 19-138, Use of the 5.850-5.925 GHz Band

As part of the review, The House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology will hold an FCC oversight hearing on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019. It is expected that many members of the Subcommittee will raise this proposal with the FCC Commissioners during the hearing. Interested NAMM Members may view the 12/5/2019 livestream. (7:00 am Pacific / 10:00 am Eastern)

To offer a public comment: NAMM Members interested in offering a public comment may do so 30 days after publication in the Federal Register, with a deadline of 60 days after Federal Register publication.

• Link here to submit a comment to the FCC Public comments must be filed in ET Docket No. 19-138 (in the “Proceedings” field, enter “19-138”) Before filing, participants should familiarize themselves with the Commission’s ex parte rules, including the general prohibition on presentations (written and oral) on matters listed on the Sunshine Agenda.

Several NAMM member companies have been tracking and reporting on this development for years.  NAMM will continue to gather and post relevant information regarding regulatory compliance, here at NAMM.org.