FCC Adopts C-V2X Auto Spectrum Rules That Will Impact Ford

Back in early 2019, Ford announced that it planned to incorporate cellular-based vehicle-to-everything technology  (C-V2X)  in all of its new U.S. models starting in 2022. The concept behind this technology is to improve safety and reduce traffic congestion by enabling vehicles to communicate with just about everything – ranging from other vehicles to infrastructure and even pedestrians. That ultimately didn’t happen, but Ford continues to work to deploy C-V2X technology regardless, though the automaker will now be impacted by a new plan pertaining to that same tech in the U.S..

Back in August, the DOT revealed its “Saving Lives with Connectivity: A Plan to Accelerate V2X Deployment” plan, which aims to guide the implementation of vehicle-to-everything technologies – deploying that tech across the national highway system in phases all the way up through 2036. Though Ford has been aggressively deploying C-V2X tech in China for years now – as well as Europe – the automaker previously expressed concerns over the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) plan to take away some of the airwaves that were set aside for V2X communications and repurpose those spectrums for other needs, as it noted that Wi-Fi signals could interfere with them.

Regardless, the FCC has officially adopted the final rules for this C-V2X rollout, which will permit in-vehicle and roadside units to use this technology in the 5.9 GHz spectrum that’s. dedicated to Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). This band has been reserved for automotive safety technology for years now, but hasn’t yet been deployed for that purpose. The FCC’s final rules promote the efficient use of 30 megahertz of spectrum dedicated for ITS in the 5.9 GHz band, and codifies C-V2X technical parameters in the commission’s rules, including power and emission limits and message prioritization. The auto industry can also use three 10-megahertz channels either separately or in combination as a 20-megahertz channel or as a single 30-megahertz channel.

“The FCC’s efforts to evolve the 5.9 GHz band are a win-win. It drives innovation in our wireless and transportation economies and can help keep us safe on our roadways when we walk, ride and drive,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “I thank the FCC staff, as well as federal and state partners, for their dedication to this game-changing spectrum project.”