Multi-stakeholder Statement on Preserving 5.9 GHz

The Association of Global Automakers, The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, 5G Automotive Association, Intelligent Transportation Society of America, and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials issued the following statement in response to the recent filing by NCTA-The Internet & Television Association suggesting that spectrum reserved for transportation safety services should be repurposed:

The Association of Global Automakers, The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, The Intelligent Transportation Society of America, The 5G Automotive Association and The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials strongly support preserving the full 5.9 GHz band for transportation safety use, as it has been allocated.

Our members are actively developing technologies, and own and operate critical highway and other transportation infrastructure that connects vehicles to vehicles, to other road users, and to their environment to help reduce crashes. Connected vehicle and infrastructure technology includes vehicle communication with bicyclists, pedestrians, traffic lights, and advanced alerts of hazards like ice on roadways, commonly known as vehicle-to-everything (V2X). Additionally, they can enhance automated driving systems, which hold the promise to provide numerous economic, environmental, and societal benefits, such as decreased congestion and fuel consumption, and increased access for the elderly and disabled.

The entire 5.9 GHz band is needed to achieve the full benefit of these communication technologies in the years to come. These safety innovations require dedicated spectrum to ensure they work right every time without signal interference. Millions of dollars have already been invested in this effort, including incorporating connected vehicle technologies into infrastructure.

We are on the cusp of a major breakthrough in vehicle connectivity and safety innovations. With significant past and present investments in connected vehicle innovations, V2X technologies are already being deployed for the purposes of improving road safety. This will only continue moving forward. With 37,133 deaths on U.S. roadways last year alone, we must take every opportunity to save the lives of road users. Connected vehicle technologies offer the U.S. a powerful set of tools to save lives, but only if these technologies are given the ability to progress. We support protecting the entire 5.9 GHz band for transportation safety applications. Any unlicensed use in the band should be done without harmful interference to the incumbent technology or other intelligent transportation systems technologies.