Last week, the FCC voted to reallocate spectrum in the 5.9 GHz band (5.850-5.925 GHz), designating the lower 45 MHz for unlicensed operations and authorizing the use of Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) in the upper 30 MHz portion of the band. The decision was, as a practical matter, unanimous and bipartisan, with Chairman Pai, Commissioners O’Reilly and Carr approving, and Commissioners Rosenworcel and Starks concurring. The final Report & Order was published on Friday.

The decision to give away over half of the spectrum for unlicensed Wi-Fi devices found opposition by numerous transportation and automotive organizations.  OmniAir Consortium® has long supported preserving the full 75 MHz of spectrum for use by Intelligent Transportation Systems.  At the same time, OmniAir® fully supports the decision to authorize, for the first time, the use of C-V2X technologies in the upper 30 MHz of the spectrum.

For those who have worked to advance the development and deployment of Dedicated Short range Radio Communication (DSRC), last week’s vote was a difficult one. However, for far too long, the ITS industry has dealt with regulatory uncertainty regarding the 5.9 GHz spectrum.  This uncertainty has hampered industry and government’s ability to make long-term investment decisions in lifesaving connected vehicle technologies.

Last week’s decision by the FCC opens a path for C-V2X deployment in the United States—and new opportunities for those engaged in the work of standards, testing, pilot projects, and early deployments.  There will be challenges—no doubt.  However, OmniAir is ready and uniquely positioned to guide deploying agencies and automotive OEMs as they pivot to a new communications media.

OmniAir Well Prepared for Transition to C-V2X

In 2017, OmniAir launched the world’s first independent third-party testing and certification DSRC-V2X radios, including On-Board Units (OBUs) and Roadside Units (RSUs).  We will continue to offer certification and readiness testing for DSRC devices in the U.S. during the transition period and in other markets.

OmniAir is well-prepared for the transition to C-V2X.  Since our first demonstration of C-V2X testing two years ago at the OmniAir Texas Plugfest, we have seen a steady increase in C-V2X devices and test equipment participating in OmniAir Plugfests. During last month’s Global Plugfest, 17 of 20 devices tested were C-V2X radios—destined for the U.S. marketplace.  Each of the nine participating test equipment providers and all six participating test laboratories offered C-V2X testing capabilities.

OmniAir will continue its mission to ensure that deploying agencies and automakers worldwide can rely on OmniAir Certified devices for trusted communications, regardless of the underlying radio technology.

In December, OmniAir will launch the world’s first comprehensive certification program for C-V2X (LTE-V2X PC5) radios.

Over the past year, OmniAir and its members have developed hundreds of new test cases for C-V2X testing and have validated these through our testing at our recent OmniAir Global Plugfest. We have received several applications for the OmniAir Qualified Test Equipment (OQTE) and OmniAir Authorized Test Laboratory (OATL) programs for C-V2X testing within days of opening registration.

Next year, we plan to help a broad cross-section of stakeholders navigate this change through webinars and workshops, Plugfests, and ongoing Working Group activities.

Join us on December 2 for our OmniAir Annual Meeting to learn more about our C-V2X testing and certification plans in 2021 and beyond.

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