Use of the 5.850-5.925 GHz Band, 23323-23340 [2021-08801]
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 83 / Monday, May 3, 2021 / Proposed Rules
Subpart E—Identification of Interstate
Transport Regions
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION
Sec.
81.455
81.457
47 CFR Parts 15, 90, and 95
§ 81.455
Scope.
Ozone Transport Region.
[ET Docket No. 19–138; FCC 20–164; FRS
17508]
Scope.
Use of the 5.850–5.925 GHz Band
This subpart identifies interstate
transport regions established for
national ambient air quality standards
pursuant to section 184 or section 176A
of the Clean Air Act.
§ 81.457
Ozone Transport Region.
Except as provided in paragraph (a),
the Ozone Transport Region is
comprised of the areas identified by
Congress under 42 U.S.C. 7511c(a). The
EPA Administrator removed a portion of
Maine from the Ozone Transport
Region, by rule, in response to a petition
submitted by Maine under section
176A(a).
(a) Ozone Transport Region Boundary
As of [30 DAYS AFTER
PUBLICATION OF FINAL ACTION IN
FEDERAL REGISTER], the boundary for
the Ozone Transport Region consists of
the entire states of Connecticut,
Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts,
New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and
Vermont; [PORTIONS OF MAINE
INCLUDED IN OTR AS IDENTIFIED AT
[CITATION xxx]]; and the Consolidated
Metropolitan Statistical Area
[DOCUMENTATION DATE] that
includes the District of Columbia and
the following counties and cities in
Virginia: Arlington County, Fairfax
County, Loudoun County, Prince
William County, Strafford County,
Alexandria City, Fairfax City, Falls
Church City, Manassas City, and
Manassas Park City.
(b) Applicability
As of [30 DAYS AFTER
PUBLICATION OF FINAL ACTION IN
FEDERAL REGISTER], the provisions of
42 U.S.C. 7511c will no longer be
applicable in the following areas of
Maine: [PORTIONS OF MAINE TO BE
REMOVED FROM OTR AS IDENTIFIED
AT [CITATION xxx]].
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Federal Communications
Commission.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
In this document, the
Commission addresses issues remaining
to finalize the restructuring of the 5.9
GHz band. Specifically, the Commission
addresses: The transition of ITS
operations in the 5.895–5.925 GHz band
from Dedicated Short Range
Communications (DSRC) based
technology to Cellular Vehicle-toEverything (C–V2X) based technology;
the codification of C–V2X technical
parameters in the Commission’s rules;
other transition considerations; and the
transmitter power and emissions limits,
and other issues, related to full-power
outdoor unlicensed operations across
the entire 5.850–5.895 GHz portion of
the 5.9 GHz band. The Commission
modified the Further Notice released on
November 20, 2020, with an Erratum
released on December 11, 2020. The
Commission released a Second Erratum
on February 9, 2021. The corrections
from these errata are included in this
document.
SUMMARY:
Interested parties may file
comments on or before June 2, 2021;
and reply comments on or before July 2,
2021.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,
identified by ET Docket No. 19–138, by
any of the following methods:
• Federal Communications
Commission’s website: https://
apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• Mail: Filings can be sent by hand or
messenger delivery, by commercial
overnight courier, or by first-class or
overnight U.S. Postal Service mail. All
filings must be addressed to the
Commission’s Secretary Office of the
Secretary, Federal Communications
Commission.
For detailed instructions for
submitting comments and additional
information on the rulemaking process,
see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
section of this document.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jamie L. Coleman of the Office of
Engineering and Technology, at 202–
418–2705 or Jamie.Coleman@fcc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a
summary of the Commission’s Further
DATES:
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Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Further
Notice) in ET Docket No. 19–138, FCC
20–164 adopted November 18, 2020,
and released November 20, 2020. The
full text of the Further Notice, including
all Appendices, is available by
downloading the text from the
Commission’s website at https://
docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC20-164A1.pdf. When the FCC
Headquarters reopens to the public, the
full text of this document also will be
available for public inspection and
copying during regular business hours
in the FCC Reference Center, 45 L Street
NE, Washington, DC 20554. Alternative
formats are available for people with
disabilities (Braille, large print,
electronic files, audio format), by
sending an email to FCC504@fcc.gov or
calling the Consumer and Governmental
Affairs Bureau at (202) 418–0530
(voice), (202) 418–0432 (TTY).
Comment Filing Procedures
Pursuant to §§ 1.415 and 1.419 of the
Commission’s rules, 47 CFR 1.415,
1.419, interested parties may file
comments and reply comments on or
before the dates indicated on the first
page of this document. Comments may
be filed using the Commission’s
Electronic Comment Filing System
(ECFS). See Electronic Filing of
Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings,
63 FR 24121 (1998).
• Electronic Filers: Comments may be
filed electronically using the internet by
accessing the ECFS: https://apps.fcc.gov/
ecfs/.
• Paper Filers: Parties who choose to
file by paper must file an original and
one copy of each filing.
• Filings can be sent by commercial
overnight courier, or by first-class or
overnight U.S. Postal Service mail. All
filings must be addressed to the
Commission’s Secretary, Office of the
Secretary, Federal Communications
Commission.
• Commercial overnight mail (other
than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail
and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9050
Junction Drive, Annapolis Junction, MD
20701.
• U.S. Postal Service first-class,
Express, and Priority mail must be
addressed to 45 L Street NE,
Washington, DC 20554.
• Effective March 19, 2020, and until
further notice, the Commission no
longer accepts any hand or messenger
delivered filings. This is a temporary
measure taken to help protect the health
and safety of individuals, and to
mitigate the transmission of COVID–19.
See FCC Announces Closure of FCC
Headquarters Open Window and
Change in Hand-Delivery Policy, Public
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Notice, DA 20–304 (March 19, 2020).
https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcccloses-headquarters-open-window-andchanges-hand-delivery-policy.
People with Disabilities: To request
materials in accessible formats for
people with disabilities (braille, large
print, electronic files, audio format),
send an email to fcc504@fcc.gov or call
the Consumer & Governmental Affairs
Bureau at 202–418–0530 (voice), 202–
418–0432 (TTY).
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Initial Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995 Analysis
This document does not contain
proposed information collection
requirements subject to the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–
13. In addition, therefore, it does not
contain any proposed information
collection burden for small business
concerns with fewer than 25 employees,
pursuant to the Small Business
Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, Public
Law 107–198, see 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(4).
Ex Parte Rules—Permit-But-Disclose
The proceeding this Further Notice
initiates shall be treated as a ‘‘permitbut-disclose’’ proceeding in accordance
with the Commission’s ex parte rules,
47 CFR 1.1200 et seq. Persons making ex
parte presentations must file a copy of
any written presentation or a
memorandum summarizing any oral
presentation within two business days
after the presentation (unless a different
deadline applicable to the Sunshine
period applies). Persons making oral ex
parte presentations are reminded that
memoranda summarizing the
presentation must (1) list all persons
attending or otherwise participating in
the meeting at which the ex parte
presentation was made, and (2)
summarize all data presented and
arguments made during the
presentation. If the presentation
consisted in whole or in part of the
presentation of data or arguments
already reflected in the presenter’s
written comments, memoranda or other
filings in the proceeding, the presenter
may provide citations to such data or
arguments in his or her prior comments,
memoranda, or other filings (specifying
the relevant page and/or paragraph
numbers where such data or arguments
can be found) in lieu of summarizing
them in the memorandum. Documents
shown or given to Commission staff
during ex parte meetings are deemed to
be written ex parte presentations and
must be filed consistent with rule
1.1206(b). In proceedings governed by
rule 1.49(f) or for which the
Commission has made available a
method of electronic filing, written ex
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parte presentations and memoranda
summarizing oral ex parte
presentations, and all attachments
thereto, must be filed through the
electronic comment filing system
available for that proceeding, and must
be filed in their native format (e.g., .doc,
.xml, .ppt, searchable .pdf). Participants
in this proceeding should familiarize
themselves with the Commission’s ex
parte rules.
Synopsis
I. Introduction
1. Simultaneous with this Further
Notice, the Commission adopted a First
Report and Order that revised the band
plan for the 5.9 GHz band, authorizing
unlicensed use in the lower 45
megahertz of the band (5.850–5.895
GHz) and retaining the upper 30
megahertz of the band (5.895–5.925
GHz) for the Intelligent Transportation
System (ITS) radio service. As of the
effective date of the First Report and
Order, unlicensed indoor operations are
permitted in the 5.850–5.895 GHz
portion of the 5.9 GHz band, under
specified power and other technical
limitations designed to protect
incumbent ITS service and federal radar
operations from harmful interference.
The Commission decided to consider
requests for unlicensed outdoor
operations in the 5.850–5.895 GHz band
through the Commission’s existing
regulatory process for individualized
and temporary access to spectrum, to be
coordinated with the National
Telecommunications and Information
Administration (NTIA) to ensure that
federal incumbents are protected from
harmful interference.
2. The Commission implemented a
period of one year from the effective
date of the First Report and Order for
the ITS licensees to transition all
operations into the 5.895–5.925 GHz
portion of the band. The Commission
further adopted rules designating C–
V2X technology as the ITS delivery
system once the Commission adopts a
deadline and the transition to the
revised ITS band is complete. Pending
resolution of the transition of ITS
operations to C–V2X, ITS licensees will
be able to continue their DSRC-based
operations or, alternatively, to seek to
deploy C–V2X-based operations through
the Commission’s existing regulatory
processes.
3. In this Further Notice, we address
the remaining issues to finalize the 5.9
GHz band restructuring. Specifically,
the Further Notice addresses: (1) The
transition of all ITS operations to C–
V2X-based technology; (2) the
codification of C–V2X technical
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parameters in the Commission’s rules;
(3) other transition considerations; and
(4) the transmitter power and emissions
limits, and other issues, related to fullpower outdoor unlicensed operations
across the 5.850–5.895 GHz band.
II. Discussion
A. Transitioning Licensed ITS
Operations in the 5.9 GHz Band to C–
V2X Technology
4. Under the First Report and Order,
all existing ITS operations using
channels in the lower 45 megahertz of
the 5.9 GHz band (5.850–5.895 GHz) are
required to transition out of that
spectrum into the upper 30 megahertz of
the 5.9 GHz band (5.895–5.925 GHz)
that will continue to be designated for
ITS. ITS licensees must take necessary
steps to assess their existing equipment
and infrastructure and either retune
their devices to access only the
spectrum in the 30 megahertz that will
remain available for ITS operations or
replace their equipment with
transmitters designed to use only the
revised ITS band. In this Further Notice,
we propose to address remaining issues
that must be resolved regarding the
transition of ITS from DSRC to C–V2X
operations in the 5.895–5.925 GHz
band, including the timing and
procedures needed to ensure a smooth
transition. We also seek comment on
additional or alternative measures that
may be helpful, appropriate, or
necessary.
5. Timeline. In the First Report and
Order, we require that ITS operations in
the 5.895–5.925 GHz band ultimately
must use C–V2X technology. In order to
complete the transition of the band to
C–V2X, we propose that all ITS
operations in the 5.895–5.925 GHz band
either convert to C–V2X or cease
operating two years after the effective
date of a Second Report and Order to be
adopted in response to this Further
Notice. We seek comment on this
proposal.
6. Since the Commission first
proposed in December 2019 to authorize
C–V2X operations in the 5.9 GHz band,
manufacturers and licensees have had
significant time to begin planning for
the possible entry of C–V2X into the
band. We seek comment on the state of
development and availability of C–V2X
equipment, both roadside units (RSUs)
and on-board units (OBUs). We believe
that two-years beyond the effective date
of the rules the Commission will adopt
in the Second Report and Order will
allow the ITS supply chains to become
replete with C–V2X equipment. This
timeframe is consistent with the
Department of Transportation’s view
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that vehicle manufacturer product
cycles necessitate two years lead time to
ensure new V2X equipment is installed
in new vehicles. And in some instances,
this timeframe may not be needed as
some commenters have explained that
they have already deployed equipment
that is both DSRC and C–V2X
compatible. We seek comment on
whether manufacturers can distribute
C–V2X equipment through their existing
supply chains, and on whether vehicle
manufacturers can install C–V2X
equipment into new vehicles, within
this timeframe. Moreover, we expect
that many licensees will begin planning
for the eventual transition to C–V2X
now and, thus, may take advantage of
available opportunities to immediately
operate C–V2X facilities in the upper 30
megahertz of the band under our STA,
experimental licensing, or other existing
regulatory process without first
implementing interim DSRC operations.
We seek comment on the number of
licensees that may decide to operate in
such a fashion and the number that plan
to continue offering DSRC in the 30megahertz band during the transition
period. We assume that the transition
process to C–V2X would primarily
involve replacing DSRC transmitters
with C–V2X transmitters, since we
propose C–V2X technical rules
consistent with the current rules for
DSRC and therefore no antenna changes
are needed to cover the same area based
on the identical propagation
characteristics between DSRC and C–
V2X. We seek comment on the steps
involved with converting all ITS
operations in the 5.9 GHz band to C–
V2X technology and the expected time
to complete the entire process. We note
that, as stipulated in the First Report
and Order, licensees will not need to
initiate changes to their authorizations
when they transition to C–V2X; they
simply will need to use equipment that
meets the operational and technical
rules the Commission will adopt in the
Second Report and Order for C–V2X
technology. If, however, a licensee
needs to concurrently make adjustments
to its system to add sites, increase
power, or modify emissions, those
changes will require modifications to
the underlying RSU registration
information.
7. We also seek comment on how to
treat DSRC OBUs at the final transition
date. Can manufacturers or DSRC
system operators send over-the-air
instructions to these units to turn off?
Can OBUs be modified through software
or hardware changes to operate using C–
V2X-based technology? Absent other
operating DSRC infrastructure (such as
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RSUs), would OBUs continue to
communicate with each other and, if so,
what would such communications
entail? Is there any potential for harmful
interference into C–V2X operations that
could occur if DSRC OBUs continue to
operate after the final transition date
and, if so, how can such interference
best be prevented? We seek comment on
our proposed two-year sunset date for
DSRC-based OBU operations and any
alternative date that commenters might
suggest. Commenters should be specific
as to the merits of any date they
recommend for ceasing DSRC
operations in the 5.9 GHz band.
8. We note that OBUs are licensed-byrule under the part 95 Personal Radio
Services rules. ‘‘Licensed-by-rule’’
means that an authorized user can
access the entire available spectrum
without an individual station license
document and is instead authorized to
operate as long as the operations are in
accordance with the applicable service
rules. As a result, the Commission does
not have detailed information and
records on the exact number and
location of users of such equipment. We
seek comment on whether there are any
specific issues related to modifying
OBUs that are not reflected in the
questions already raised. As an initial
matter, we assume that most OBUs
should be easily identified because very
few vehicles sold to date are equipped
with OBUs and the vast majority of
existing units are associated with the
various ITS trial programs occurring
throughout the U.S. We seek comment
on this notion. Are there estimates of
the number of vehicles on the road
today that incorporate DSRC-based
OBUs independent of a trial or pilot
program (i.e., as part of a commercial
deployment of DSRC services)? Does the
Commission need to take steps to make
owners of these vehicles aware of the
changes being adopted? Or would
automobile manufacturers take primary
responsibility for notifying their
customers of these rule changes? If the
Commission should make owners aware
of rule changes affecting OBUs, then
how should the Commission conduct
such consumer outreach? Commenters
should provide specific details to justify
their positions regarding our proposals.
9. Technical Parameters. The
Commission’s ITS rules set forth basic
technical parameters such as power,
height, and available channels. Further,
to ensure interoperability within the
ITS, DSRC operations are required to
adhere to the provisions specified in the
ASTM E2213–03 Standard (ASTM–
DSRC), which is incorporated by
reference in the Commission’s rules.
These rules divide the current 5.9 GHz
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band into seven, 10-megahertz channels,
with an allowance to combine two pairs
of channels into 20-megahertz channels.
Further, specific channels are intended
for public safety use only; one channel
in particular, the ‘‘control channel,’’
which is outside the modified ITS band
plan, is intended to be used for
messages that coordinate channel usage
and prioritize public safety messages.
The modified ITS band plan eliminates
the lower four, 10-megahertz channels,
including the current control channel,
and one of the public safety channels.
These changes necessitate that we
further propose to modify the ITS
technical rules to ensure that ITS
delivers its intended safety-related
applications to the American public.
10. Our goal is to facilitate a smooth
transition and ensure that existing ITS
services continue with minimal or no
interruption. Accordingly, we must
address the technical rules through the
transition process whereby C–V2X will
replace DSRC technology in the 5.9 GHz
band and after that transition when C–
V2X is the sole technology in the 5.9
GHz ITS band. In the sections below, we
seek comment on the technical
considerations related to the
simultaneous operation of DSRC and C–
V2X in the 5.895–5.925 GHz portion of
the 5.9 GHz band and, ultimately,
exclusive operation of C–V2X in that
band. In particular, as commenters
consider the various technical issues
addressed here, they should also frame
their comments around considerations
necessary during and after the
transition. Specifically, for each
technical issue, commenters should also
answer whether there are technical
issues that preclude simultaneous DSRC
and C–V2X operations in this band.
What spectral and/or geographic
separation requirements, if any, are
necessary to prevent harmful
interference between the two types of
operations? As ITS licenses generally
specify a defined geographic area and
are required to operate within as small
a ‘‘communications zone’’ as necessary,
can we permit existing licensees to
modify to C–V2X operations premised
simply on not exceeding their existing
footprint? Can new licensees be
authorized to use C–V2X before the final
transition date, provided that they avoid
existing geographic licensed areas or
simply avoid existing registered RSUs?
Are there any adjacent-channel issues
that need to be considered between
DSRC and C–V2X to enable nearby
operation? For example, do C–V2X
operations in the upper 30 megahertz
need to initiate any mitigation measures
to accommodate DSRC operations that
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continue in the lower 45 megahertz
during the one-year transition period?
What accommodations can be made to
protect RSU sites operated pursuant to
the four incumbent nationwide ITS
authorizations? Commenters should
consider how best to balance C–V2X
band entry and co-existence with DSRC
during the transition period, in light of
the technical rules we are proposing
herein and recommend if there are any
interim measures that may be needed to
ensure short-term compatibility prior to
exclusive C–V2X use. We also seek
information informed by current C–V2X
tests being conducted under
experimental licenses as to how best to
enable a smooth transition from DSRC
to C–V2X.
11. Bandwidth. We propose light
touch changes to minimize disruption
and simplify the transition from DSRCbased technology to C–V2X-based
technology. The existing ITS band plan
contains three, 10-megahertz channels
that will comprise the new ITS band:
Channels 180, 182, and 184
corresponding to 5.895–5.905, 5.905–
5.915 and 5.915–5.925 GHz,
respectively. We seek comment on
whether this band plan, specifying three
10-megahertz channels, should continue
for C–V2X. We also seek comment on
whether the band plan should continue
to accommodate combining two
channels to provide a single 20megahertz channel. Currently, channels
180 and 182 can be combined into
channel 181 (5.895–5.915 GHz). Should
such channel combining be permitted
under the modified ITS band plan?
Alternatively, should channels 182 and
184 be permitted to combine into a
single 20-megahertz channel spanning
5.905–5.925 GHz? Should the
Commission permit maximum
flexibility by allowing each of these
potential channel combinations to be
used as necessary to accommodate
various ITS applications and services?
What about allowing all three channels
to be combined and used as a single 30megahertz channel? What are the
consequences for any of these channel
bandwidth choices on the deployment
and adoption of C–V2X? How would a
completely flexible band plan versus a
prescriptive band plan affect the ability
of C–V2X to maximize efficient use of
the band? We seek comment on each of
these possibilities and how best to strike
the right balance to ensure efficient and
effective band use can be maximized.
Further, commenters should provide
sufficient detail regarding their
preferred band plan and how that may
work with C–V2X and all other
operational and technical rules that are
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addressed herein, such as power limits,
out-of-band emissions (OOBE) limits,
and channel use designations.
12. The control channel and the
public safety priority channel. Currently
the rules designate channel 178 (5.885–
5.895 GHz) as the control channel and
channel 184 (5.915–5.925 GHz) as a
public safety channel. We seek
comment on whether there is a
compelling reason to have specific use
designations on any or all of the
channels used by C–V2X. Would
designating any of the channels for a
specific purpose, e.g., a control channel,
help maximize band use efficiency?
Does C–V2X need access to a control
channel in a similar fashion as DSRC?
If so, what is the best alternative for
accommodating a control channel for C–
V2X? Commenters should provide
specific reasoning to support their
preference. How would any channel
designation work with the potential
flexibility to combine any two or all
three channels?
13. Commenters in favor of any
channel designations should include
detail regarding which designations
they prefer we retain, which channel(s)
those designations should pertain to,
why they make those particular choices
and how those choices will maximize
use of the band and promote safetyrelated vehicular services. Alternatively,
we could leave the issue of how best to
use any of the channels to the
standards-setting process and permit the
industry to agree on use standards, but
not designate those in our rules. We
seek comment on the advantages and
disadvantages of deferring to industry
standardization processes in lieu of
adopting prescriptive rules.
Commenters in favor of using the
standards process should also comment
on expected timeframes for such bodies
to produce relevant standards and how
those timeframes complement the
transition timeframe we propose in this
Further Notice.
14. Relatedly, the existing ITS rules
lay out a hierarchical priority system for
messages. Communications involving
the safety of life have access priority
over all other ITS communications.
Communications involving public safety
have the next priority level with a
presumption that RSUs operated by
state or local governmental entities are
engaged in public safety priority
communications. At the lowest tier of
the hierarchy are non-priority
communications, which are all other
communications. We seek comment on
whether to retain this message priority
hierarchy for C–V2X deployment.
Because the stated purpose of the ITS is
to promote safety, our inclination is that
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this message prioritization system
should be retained as it helps to ensure
that the most important messages are
successfully transmitted. This may
become even more important as ITS
operations must adjust to delivering
service in less spectrum than under the
current band plan. We seek comment on
this position. Would such a system
work with C–V2X? If we retain the
channel designations, do they need to
be modified for C–V2X? More broadly,
are the existing channel designations
and operating protocols still technically
relevant under the new band plan?
Further, commenters should address
whether this priority system should be
modified in any way. Should there be
more granularity in the priority tiers? If
so, then how should such messages be
designated? Should they continue to be
associated with specific types of
licensees or should the message type be
the determining factor? Should we
continue to maintain a priority system
based on our expectation that dedicated
ITS spectrum will be used primarily (if
not exclusively) for safety-of-life
applications?
15. Power and antenna height. The
5.9 GHz band ITS spectrum is shared
and licensed on a non-exclusive
geographic area basis based on geopolitical boundaries. To maximize the
use within this shared spectrum, the
rules require that each registered RSU
designate its intended area of operation
or ‘‘communication zone’’ and that such
communication zones be the smallest
necessary. The rules provide for four
communication zones designated ‘‘A’’
through ‘‘D’’ for coverage areas ranging
from 15 meters to 1000 meters.
Correspondingly, each zone is
associated with a maximum permitted
output power ranging from 0 dBm to
28.8 dBm. While this rule specifies
output power, which is power supplied
to the antenna, another rule specifies
the maximum radiated power permitted
on each channel ranging generally from
23 dBm to 33 dBm, but permitting state
and local government entities to radiate
at higher levels on the control channel
(channel 178) at up to 44.8 dBm and on
the public safety priority channel
(channel 184) at up to 40 dBm. The
Commission’s rules also limit RSU
antenna height as another way of
ensuring these units do not transmit
beyond their designated zone. RSU
antenna height is limited to 8 meters at
full power and may be as high as 15
meters with a corresponding power
reduction. Notably, these rules working
together require licensees in many cases
to use directional antennas to attain the
highest radiated power levels, which
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also serves to focus the energy to only
the desired coverage areas.
16. We seek comment on what the
appropriate power levels under the
modified ITS band plan should be. As
an initial matter, to maximize spectrum
use among all users, we propose to
retain the ‘‘communication zone’’
designations currently in the rules and
require RSUs to specify their intended
zone. We believe this will continue to
ensure that stations only cover their
intended area and provide opportunities
for other licensees to install RSUs for
other nearby areas without mutually
interfering. We seek comment on this
proposal and what effect, if any, it will
have on C–V2X. 5GAA in a recent filing
modified its initial position and now
requests that the Commission delete the
‘‘communication zone’’ rules. Thus, we
ask commenters to address whether the
current communication zone distance
limits should be retained or are there
reasons to modify or eliminate them?
Should they provide for more extended
coverage areas? Or smaller areas? Or are
they effective without change?
Commenters advocating changes to the
communication zones should provide
specific information on what limits they
favor and why and what effect those
changes will have on the ability for C–
V2X to deploy new systems and
continue operating into the future.
17. We also seek comment on the
appropriate output and radiated power
levels that should be associated with
each communication zone, channel, and
user. The Commission, based on
5GAA’s waiver petition, proposed in the
5.9 GHz NPRM power limits based on
the most recent 3GPP standard (which
at the time was Release 14). Specifically,
the Commission proposed that C–V2X
devices limit output power to no more
than 20 dBm and limit EIRP to no more
than 33 dBm. We are not aware of any
changes to the power requirements in
subsequent iterations of the 3GPP
standard and thus, propose that C–V2X
RSUs comply with that limit. Should
the rules continue to permit higher
radiated power for state and local
governmental entities? Or should the
rules be consistent among all users as a
way of maximizing spectrum use and
controlling potential interference
between users? Should we limit
radiated power to 23 dBm as specified
for some channels, 33 dBm as specified
for others or some other value, such as
permitting higher power on a control
channel? Likewise, should we continue
to specify both output power and
radiated power levels for
communication zone/channel
combinations? Or would it be more
appropriate to specify only a radiated
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power limit, as requested by 5GAA in
its comments? Based on how parties
envision future use of the ITS band, are
there advantages to continuing to
specify both limits and requiring certain
installations to use directional antennas
to reach maximum power?
18. An alternative would be to specify
power as a power density to normalize
power for wider bandwidth channels, if
we continue to permit such operations.
We seek comment on whether that
would serve C–V2X better than the
current method, which associates a
lower power density with wider
bandwidth channels. We also seek
comment on whether the current
antenna height limitations are justified.
Are there reasons to permit higher
antenna heights? Should we continue to
require that licensees reduce their
power for higher antenna heights as a
way of controlling coverage area and
reducing the potential for interference?
Further, we seek comment on whether
we should specify measurement
standards for equipment approval and
compliance purposes. For example,
should the Commission specify that
these values should be measured as root
mean square (i.e., average) or peak
values? And should the Commission
specify the resolution bandwidth
settings for compliance measurements
in the rules? Commenters should
address these questions in conjunction
with their comments regarding retention
or modifications of the existing
communication zones and provide
technical information regarding their
preference for rules and how they
would work to ensure maximum access
to the band.
19. Finally, we seek comment on
whether we should modify the power
rules for C–V2X OBUs. The current
rules specify a 1 mW output power
maximum for portable OBUs. As with
RSUs, the Commission proposed in the
5.9 GHz NPRM limits compatible with
the 3GPP Release 14 standard for C–V2X
vehicular and portable (i.e. on-board)
units, which would limit output power
to no more than 20 dBm and EIRP to no
more than 23 dBm. We believe these
power levels continue to be appropriate
for C–V2X vehicular and portable
devices and propose those levels here.
5GAA, however, recently requested that
the Commission eliminate the output
power requirement and increase the
OBU EIRP limit to 33 dBm. Should we
adopt this higher power level instead?
What effect would such an increase
have on the ability of C–V2X RSUs to
co-exist with and protect federal
radiolocation stations? In commenting
on these power levels, commenters
should keep in mind the need to
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simultaneously ensure that such
portable OBUs comply with the
Commission’s RF radiation exposure
limits.
20. We also seek comment on how we
should handle the standards issue with
respect to C–V2X. The 5.9 GHz NPRM
sought comment on incorporating 3GPP
Release 14 by reference in the
Commission’s rules. We did not receive
significant comment on this issue.
Subsequent to the NPRM, in July 2020,
3GPP announced the completion of
Release 16, which further enhanced the
5G network capabilities, including C–
V2X that were addressed in Release 15.
21. The 3GPP Release 14 standard
referenced in this Notice is formally
known as: 3GPP TR 21.914 V14.0.0
(2018–05) 3rd Generation Partnership
Project; Technical Specification Group
Services and System Aspects; Release
14 Description; Summary of Rel–14
Work Items (Release 14). Release 14,
inter alia, focuses on introducing
Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X)
communications, in particular Vehicleto-Vehicle (V2V) communications. The
V2X feature encompasses all aspects of
the 3GPP work needed to support
vehicle-based communications:
Enhancements of the air interface,
protocols, and impacts on the Long
Term Evolution (LTE) core network.
Release 14 defines two modes of
operation for V2X communication (V2X
communication via direct over-the-air
connections between user equipment
and V2X communication over the LTE
network interface), which may be used
by user equipment independently for
transmission and reception. Release 14
also defines service requirements (e.g.,
message transfer latency) for typical
V2X applications; specifies architecture
enhancements for LTE support of V2X
services (e.g., V2X architectures,
functional entities involved for V2X
communications, interfaces,
provisioned parameters, and
procedures); and specifies security
aspects (e.g., security aspects for LTEbased V2X communication, including
security architecture, security
requirements, as well as procedures and
solutions to meet those requirements).
Release 14 specifies core network and
user equipment protocol aspects,
including protocols for V2X
authorization between user equipment
and the V2X Control Function,
communication among user equipment,
and communication between the user
equipment and the V2X Application
Server over the LTE interface. Release
14 also describes support for V2V
services based on LTE sidelink
communications (direct communication
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between two LTE devices without going
through a base station).
22. In light of the evolution of the C–
V2X standard to a 5G network
technology, we seek comment on
whether our rules should incorporate
the 3GPP standard by reference.
Commenters in favor of incorporation
by reference should also provide details
regarding which version should be
incorporated—Release 14 which is
based on LTE technology or Release 16
which incorporates 5G technology.
Commenters who advocate for Release
16 should address how vehicular safety
applications will be delivered to all
users given that 5G is not backwards
compatible with LTE. One alternative
could be to incorporate Release 14 now
with a planned transition to Release 16
(or the current version) at some date
certain in the future. We seek comment
on such an option. Alternatively, is
there a compelling argument for not
incorporating any C–V2X standard into
the rules? We seek comment on each of
these options. Commenters should
address how the option they favor
would promote safety services among
all users. Finally, we seek comment on
whether we should only incorporate by
reference specific aspects of either the
3GPP Release 14 or Release 16 standard?
If so, which sections? Or if the
Commission does not incorporate by
reference any 3GPP standard, are there
portions of the standard that need to be
placed in our rules? Given our adoption
of C–V2X as the sole technology
permitted in the 5.9 GHz ITS band after
the transition, Continental has raised
concerns about the resolution of
potential licensing disputes regarding
that technology. We also request
comment on this issue.
23. C–V2X OOBE limits. Because the
existing rules for DSRC do not specify
OOBE limits necessary to protect
adjacent band services from harmful
interference, the Commission sought
comment in the 5.9 GHz NPRM on
appropriate OOBE limits for C–V2X
devices. Regardless of whether we
incorporate the 3GPP standard or not,
we continue to believe it is good
practice to adopt specific OOBE limits
into our rules. Doing so would provide
equipment manufacturers with clear
guidelines for equipment approval
compliance. Furthermore, it would
provide adjacent-channel licensees and
equipment manufacturers with clear
guidelines regarding the expected
spectrum environment so they can
incorporate appropriate filters and
mitigation measures into their products
to protect from harmful interference
from adjacent channel emissions.
Because our previous proposals were
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consistent with the current 3GPP
standard, we propose the same OOBE
limits for C–V2X here as we did in the
5.9 GHz NPRM. Specifically, we
propose that all C–V2X equipment limit
OOBE limits measured at the antenna
input (i.e., conducted limits) to: –29
dBm/100 kHz at the band edge; –35
dBm/100 kHz ± 1 megahertz from the
band edge; –43 dBm/100 kHz ± 10
megahertz from the band edge; and –53
dBm ± 20 megahertz from the band
edge. We also propose to limit out-ofband radiated emissions to –25 dBm/
100 kHz EIRP or less outside the band
edges of 5.895 GHz and 5.925 GHz.
24. We seek comment on these OOBE
limits and whether they continue to be
appropriate for C–V2X equipment. In
this connection, we note that 5GAA
recently requested that we adopt more
relaxed OOBE requirements. It
specifically requests that RSUs limit
OOBE to: –16 dBm/100 kHz ± 1
megahertz of the band edge; –13 dBm/
MHz ± 5 megahertz of the band edge;
–16 dBm/MHz ± 30 megahertz of the
band edge; and –28 dBm/MHz beyond
30 megahertz from the band edges.
25. Should we adopt these alternative
OOBE limits instead? What would the
effect of these relaxed limits be on the
ability to design and manufacture
C–V2X equipment? How would they
affect equipment cost? Will these limits
ensure compatibility with adjacent
U–NII devices in both the U–NII–4 and
U–NII–5 bands, which are below and
above the modified ITS band,
respectively? What effect would these
limits have on adjacent band fixed
services in the 6 GHz band? We also
seek comment on the measurement
standards that should be associated with
equipment approval compliance for
verifying that C–V2X equipment meets
whatever OOBE limits we adopt.
26. Other Transition Considerations.
In 5.9 GHz NPRM, we requested
comment generally on the various
transition-related considerations that we
should take into account if we adopted
our proposal to provide only 30
megahertz for ITS. For example, we
asked about any re-channelization of
DSRC-based operations in the upper 30
megahertz or the migration of ITS to
C–V2X-based technology in the
spectrum that remains reserved for ITS.
To inform our consideration of issues
relating to transitioning of ITS
operations, we asked that commenters
provide up-to-date information on
actual DSRC operations under existing
licenses (including the number of RSUs
and OBUs) and the various uses that
have been implemented. The
Commission received several comments
that involved some estimation of the
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potential cost considerations associated
with these transition issues.
27. We take this opportunity to
update the record on our inquiry in the
5.9 GHz band NPRM regarding
transition cost considerations in light of
the 5.9 GHz band plan that we have
adopted in the First Report and Order.
We recognize that, in light of our
decision, commenters will be in a much
better position to evaluate the necessary
transitions of their respective systems
We note that many of the DSRC projects
appeared to be associated with
demonstration projects designed to
address particular traffic and safety
concerns, and we seek any updates
about DSRC demonstration projects or
deployment, as well as any C–V2X
demonstration or pilot projects,
including any funding grants that have
been provided or are anticipated. As the
U.S. DOT has indicated, ITS operations
to date have received substantial
research and deployment investments,
including federal, state, and local
investment, over the years, and we seek
comment on the availability of that or
similar funding for transitioning
associated with the new band plan for
ITS. To what extent can existing
funding at the federal or state or local
level readily be used with regard to the
necessary transition costs, including use
of C–V2X-based technology?
28. While we did not propose in the
5.9 GHz NPRM to provide compensation
for such relocation, we nonetheless seek
further comment, including suggestions
on which particular types of costs
should be considered as appropriate for
possible compensation (including how
such costs would be documented) as
well as the process by which such
compensation might be determined or
implemented. Finally, we request
comment on any other actions the
Commission should consider that would
be helpful to ITS licensees with respect
to these transition matters.
29. We seek comment on whether we
should limit use of the 5.895–5.925 GHz
band to non-commercial services or
safety-of-life applications. Open
Technology Institute at New America
and Public Knowledge previously filed
a petition for rulemaking asking the
Commission to prohibit commercial
operations in ITS spectrum. Should we
modify our rules to prohibit commercial
operations in this spectrum or otherwise
limit services to safety-of-life
applications? How would the
Commission define ‘‘safety-of-life’’
applications? How would the
Commission delineate between safetyof-life and non-safety-of-life
applications? In such instances, would
the Commission need to specifically list
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permitted applications in its rules or
would a general prohibition suffice? Or,
could such a prohibition on commercial
operations be accomplished by limiting
license eligibility to only certain
licensees, such as governmental entities
or entities eligible for licensing in the
Private Land Mobile Radio Service
Public Safety Pool under part 90? At
what point would a use or licensing
restriction so alter the current
authorizations so as to constitute a
fundamental license change that would
exceed the Commission’s authority to
effectuate under section 316 of the
Communications Act, as amended? We
seek comment on the challenges and
benefits associated with adopting
restrictions on the types of ITS services
that may operate in the 5.895–5.925
GHz band.
B. More Flexible Use of Unlicensed
Service
30. The First Report and Order takes
an initial step at providing unlicensed
U–NII device access to the 5.850–5.895
GHz band. Our decision to generally
restrict U–NII devices to indoor
locations until ITS operations transition
to the 5.895–5.925 GHz band provides
flexibility for unlicensed devices to
begin using the 5.850–5.895 GHz band,
but in a way that avoids the potential for
harmful interference to vehicular safetyrelated applications. Once ITS
operations have finished transitioning to
the upper 30 megahertz, however, we
can permit outdoor operations at full
power, subject to such outdoor use
protecting from harmful interference
both co-channel federal radiolocation
operations (which will remain in the
band) and adjacent-band ITS operations.
31. Federal Radiolocation System
Protection from Outdoor Unlicensed
Operations. In the 5.9 GHz NPRM, we
sought comment on whether there are
any mitigation measures, such as
technical or operational conditions or
constraints that the Commission should
consider for U–NII–4 operations to
protect federal radars in the 5.9 GHz
band. Comcast submitted that the
Commission should adopt its proposal
to implement the same technical rules
as U–NII–3 with respect to U–NII–4
devices and federal DoD radar
operations. WISPA agreed with the
Commission’s suggestion that no other
mitigation measures are required to
protect DoD radar operations in the 5.9
GHz band from U–NII–4 devices. NCTA
stated that the Commission should
adopt its proposal to authorize U–NII–
4 devices without requiring any special
frequency avoidance techniques or
similar constraints since U–NII–3
devices have shared spectrum with co-
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channel federal incumbents for years
without any specialized frequency
avoidance techniques, and in general
sharing has been successful.
32. NTIA reviewed the federal radar
operations authorized in the 5.9 GHz
band and determined that the number of
radar sites needing protection could be
reduced to from 59 to 30 sites. NTIA’s
analysis concludes that exclusion zones
are needed to protect federal
radiolocation systems only from U–NII–
4 outdoor point-to-point (P2P) and
point-to-multipoint (P2MP) devices. The
exclusion zones recommended by NTIA
are set forth in Table 2 of its Sept. 8,
2020 letter. To enforce the exclusion
zones, NTIA recommends that
interference mitigation techniques such
as geo-fencing be employed to protect
federal radiolocation operations. NTIA
emphasizes that it is important that
outdoor U–NII devices are not permitted
to operate inside of these exclusion
zones to ensure that federal
radiolocation systems are protected
from harmful interference. NTIA also
requests that the new rules make clear
that it may authorize additional
exclusion zones or modify the existing
exclusion zones listed in Table 2 as
necessary to ensure federal
radiolocation stations are protected.
33. We agree that some mitigation
measures are needed to ensure that
outdoor U–NII point-to-point and pointto-multipoint operations do not cause
harmful interference to federal
radiolocation systems. We seek
comment on whether exclusion zones
would be the best method for ensuring
such protection. We note that some
commenters express disagreement with
the technical analysis provided by
NTIA, including questioning whether
NTIA’s interference analysis is
consistent with the assumptions in the
6 GHz Report and Order. We seek
comment on NTIA’s technical analysis,
as well as comment on any alternate
methods for determining the parameters
of exclusion zones. Commenters
advocating opinions that differ from
NTIA’s analysis should provide specific
technical detail and analysis regarding
how unlicensed devices would provide
the required protection to federal radars.
Alternatively, are other protection
mechanisms, such as coordination,
feasible methods of protecting federal
operations in certain areas? Commenters
favoring coordination or other methods
should describe how such methods can
be implemented and maintained such
that federal radar operators have
assurances that their installations are
and continue to be protected from
harmful interference in the future as
more unlicensed devices may be
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installed or existing devices may be
relocated.
34. Compliance with an exclusion
zone implies some degree of location
awareness, either within a device or by
an installer. In crafting rules for outdoor
use, we seek to protect important DoD
radars from harmful interference,
provide flexibility to U–NII system
operators, minimize equipment
complexity and capitalize on the
greatest degree of harmonization with
U–NII–3 devices as possible. We seek
comment on how best to adopt rules
that satisfy each of these goals to the
greatest extent possible.
35. The Commission has required
other unlicensed devices to incorporate
geographic awareness (i.e., a geolocation
capability) and use a database to avoid
areas where the potential for causing
harmful interference would exist. For
example, white space devices are
required to incorporate a geolocation
capability and check a white space
database for a list of available channels
before they can operate and 6 GHz
standard power U–NII devices are
similarly required to incorporate a
geolocation capability and consult an
automated frequency coordination
database prior to operating to avoid
causing harmful interference to fixed
service incumbents. Should the
Commission require a similar system
here? The advantage of using
geolocation and a database is that such
systems have already been successfully
deployed and we believe protecting
only 30 federal radiolocation sites
would be a relatively simple
undertaking under this regime. But
incorporating geolocation capability
does increase the complexity of a device
and add overhead (both hardware and
software) necessary for such a system to
work. In addition, requiring U–NII–4
devices to operate in this manner would
entail many differences from U–NII–3
device operation and could limit their
usefulness in providing the ability to
use a 160-megahertz wide channel that
spans the U–NII–3 and U–NII–4 bands.
On the other hand, we expect many
devices to operate throughout all the U–
NII bands including the 6 GHz U–NII–
5 and U–NII–7 bands which would
already require this capability. For
example, we expect that new devices
would have capability to operate across
multiple bands including the 5.150–
5.250 U–NII–1 band, the 5.725–5.850 U–
NII–3 band, the 5.850–5.895 GHz U–
NII–4 band, the 5.925–6.425 U–NII–5
band and the 6.525–6.875 U–NII–7
band. In this case, how difficult would
it be to similarly add the geolocation
and database capability to U–NII–4
devices? Would there be any
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incremental cost for incorporating such
a requirement? How would such a
requirement affect the utility of U–NII–
4 devices and their ability to work
seamlessly with U–NII–3 devices to
deliver applications over a 160megahertz channel? If we were to adopt
such a requirement, we anticipate the
rules being consistent with the 6 GHz
automatic frequency coordination rules,
except that the exclusion zones are
already known and do not need to be
calculated by the automated frequency
coordination system. We seek comment
on using the 6 GHz framework for
outdoor U–NII–4 devices.
36. Because the U–NII–4 band
exclusion zones are known in advance,
are there simpler methods for ensuring
that outdoor U–NII–4 devices respect
the need to avoid operating near the
federal radiolocation systems? For
example, could we simply rely on
professional installation to ensure that
outdoor U–NII–4 devices do not operate
in those areas? Under a professional
installation regime, what rules and
requirements would the Commission
need to put in place to ensure that U–
NII–4 devices do not operate in any of
the exclusion zones? Similarly, because
these exclusion zones are known, could
devices simply have a geolocation
capability and either be preloaded with
the exclusion zone coordinates and/or
download those coordinates once or on
a periodic basis, such as every time the
device is turned on or at some set
interval (e.g., once a week or once a
month)? We seek comment on whether
this is a viable alternative to the other
suggested methods. Commenters in
favor of such a mitigation method
should provide detailed comment
regarding how the internal device
database would work, the necessary
update frequency, and the costs
involved in developing equipment. We
also seek comment on other alternatives
that achieve the same goal; that is,
methods that achieve the required
protection and are easy and cost
effective to implement and maximize
utility of the U–NII–4 band.
Outdoor Unlicensed Operations
Transmitted Power and Emissions
Limits
37. Transmitter Power. In the 5.9 GHz
NPRM, the Commission proposed that
U–NII–4 devices be permitted to operate
at the same power levels (e.g., radiated
power, power spectral density) as U–
NII–3 devices and sought comment on
whether it should adopt different power
levels.
38. The Wi-Fi Alliance agrees that the
Commission should adopt its proposal
to apply the same power levels (radiated
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power, PSD) to U–NII–4 devices as
apply to U–NII–3 devices because their
efficacy has been proven by years of
application in practice. Wi-Fi Alliance
contends that to recognize the full
benefit of the U–NII–4 spectrum,
including expanded operations of
existing U–NII devices, the technical
rules governing the band must be
aligned with the rules covering the
U–NII–3 band; permitting U–NII–4
devices to operate at the same power
levels as U–NII–3 devices will maximize
the utility of both bands. It states that if
a different power level is adopted for
the U–NII–4 band, U–NII devices would
not be able to operate across both the
U–NII–3 and U–NII–4 bands,
eliminating the potential use of wider
channels, equipment commonality,
reduced cost and complexity, superior
performance, and other benefits that
may be realized by the Commission’s
proposal. WISPA states the
Commission’s proposal to allow U–NII–
4 devices to operate at the same power
level as U–NII–3 devices is a sensible
and efficient approach and consistent
with WISPA’s recommendations in ET
Docket No. 13–49 in that it would
permit higher-EIRP fixed wireless
operations that will enable use of the 5.9
GHz band for rural broadband
deployment, including both outdoor
point-to-point operations and point-tomultipoint operations. Comcast asserts
that harmonizing the U–NII–4 technical
rules with those of the U–NII–3 band,
particularly the Commission’s proposal
to allow U–NII–4 devices to operate at
the same power levels as U–NII–3
devices, would substantially improve its
ability to bring the band into use for
consumers quickly and to put it to its
best use. NCTA states that applying the
U–NII–3 power limits to U–NII–4 will
enable network operators and device
manufacturers to build on the success of
U–NII–3. Microsoft states that extending
the U–NII–3 technical rules to the U–
NII–4 band, except for the existing
OOBE limits, will enable the public to
realize the maximum benefits from the
U–NII–4 band, including accelerating
the timeline for initial deployments
using this 45 megahertz of spectrum;
establishing the same power levels in
the U–NII–4 band as in the U–NII–3
band is essential for deployment of
larger channels.
39. On the other hand, 5GAA and
Qualcomm separately recommend that
the Commission impose a power
spectral density limit to protect C–V2X
receivers from portable client devices
that may be operating temporarily
outdoors with relaxed OOBE limits but
connected to an indoor access point in
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the U–NII–4 band, but did not
recommend any specific limit. Car 2 Car
and US Technical Advisory Group
separately urge the Commission to
revisit its proposals for maximum
transmit power from U–NII–4 devices to
avoid harmful interference to ITS
operations, but did not recommend any
specific level for the maximum transmit
power. The Alliance for Automotive
Innovation expresses concern that the
National Highway Transportation Safety
Administration’s (NHTSA’s) testing,
which showed varying levels of harmful
interference, underestimates the
potential for harmful interference from
unlicensed operations, since the
NHTSA’s tests were conducted with a
36 dBm EIRP, but fixed point-to-point
U–NII devices could operate at power
levels of 62 dBm EIRP using 5G
antennas that have 32 dBi of gain.
Qualcomm also expresses concern that
outdoor point-to-point unlicensed
operations with high EIRP signals in the
U–NII–4 band could have serious
performance impacts to installed RSUs
and create C–V2X dead zones when
vehicles pass nearby, regardless of the
OOBE level. Intelligent Transportation
Society of America (ITSA) also
expresses concern that outdoor
unlicensed point-to-point U–NII–4 band
operations from a tower or rooftop
alongside a roadway could cause
harmful interference to ITS receivers.
40. For outdoor operation of U–NII–4
access point device after ITS operations
move out of the U–NII–4 band, we
propose a radiated power of 23 dBm/
MHz or 36 dBm radiated power for all
bandwidths. When combined with U–
NII–3-band spectrum, outdoor access
point EIRP can scale to 36 dBm for 40,
80, and 160 megahertz channels. We
agree with the Wi-Fi Alliance that
permitting U–NII–4 devices to operate at
the same power levels as U–NII–3
devices is essential to achieving the full
benefits of the U–NII–4 band and
maximizing the utility of both bands
while protecting incumbent operations
in the U–NII–4 band from harmful
interference. Allowing outdoor U–NII–4
devices to operate at the full power level
permitted for U–NII–3 devices will
enable the use of wider channels,
promote equipment commonality,
reduce costs and complexity, and
facilitate broadband deployments in
rural areas, including both outdoor
point-to-point operations and point-tomultipoint operations. However, to
avoid the need for much larger
unlicensed exclusion zones where
unlicensed operations would be
prohibited in order to protect federal
radar operations from harmful
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interference, we propose not to adopt
the U–NII–3 point-to-point power limits
in the U–NII–4 rules. We also propose
that client devices be permitted to
operate in the 5.850–5.895 GHz band at
power levels that are 6 dB lower than
those permitted for outdoor access point
devices. We seek comment on these
proposals.
41. OOBE Limits. In the 5.9 GHz
NPRM, the Commission proposed that
U–NII–4 devices, or devices that operate
across a single channel that spans the
U–NII–3 and U–NII–4 bands, meet the
same OOBE limits as U–NII–3 devices at
the upper and lower edges of those
bands with no limit at the U–NII–3/U–
NII–4 band edge. Proponents of ITS
suggest that U–NII–4 devices, or devices
that operate across a single channel that
spans the U–NII–3 and U–NII–4 bands,
meet OOBE limits that are much more
restrictive than the existing U–NII–3
OOBE limits to protect adjacent-band
ITS operations. Under GM’s suggestion
(¥27 dBm/MHz at or above 5.905 GHz),
U–NII–4 devices’ OOBE would need to
be 15 dB lower than the OOBE limit
(¥12 dBm/MHz) for a U–NII–3 device
at the same frequency; under the
suggestion from Car 2 Car, IEEE 1609
Working Group, US Technical Advisory
Group, and Volkswagen (¥40 dBm/
MHz at 10 megahertz above the band
edge), U–NII–4 devices’ OOBE would
need to be approximately 28 dB lower
than the OOBE limit (¥12 dBm/MHz)
for a U–NII–3 device at the same
frequency.
42. Proponents of unlicensed
operations suggest more relaxed OOBE
limits for outdoor unlicensed operations
in the U–NII–4 band than proposed in
the 5.9 GHz NPRM. WISPA submits that
outdoor U–NII–4 operations’ OOBE be
limited to ¥5 dBm/MHz at or above
5.895 GHz. Broadcom, CableLabs,
Facebook, and NCTA together suggest
that OOBE for outdoor U–NII–4
operations be limited to 7 dBm/MHz at
5.895 GHz, decreasing linearly to ¥9
dBm/MHz at 5.925 GHz, measured
using the root mean square (RMS)
method (agreed to by 5GAA for the top
of the 5.9 GHz band), to address
concerns raised by ITS stakeholders.
They claim that ¥9 dBm at 5.925 GHz
will provide more than adequate
protection for adjacent ITS operations
and is consistent with the roll-off of the
IEEE 802.11ac and 802.11ax emissions
masks. They also assert that this limit
would allow 5.9 GHz-capable Wi-Fi
devices to deliver sufficient power and
throughput to consumers to enable the
wide range of use cases—including
enhanced in-home Wi-Fi speeds and
coverage to support remote learning,
telemedicine, and other high-bandwidth
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applications, as well as more accessible
large-scale connectivity to support smart
city and agricultural applications in
communities across the country—that
make the 5.9 GHz band a unique
opportunity; too restrictive an OOBE
limit would make these kinds of use
cases impossible.
43. The Wi-Fi Alliance recommends a
more nuanced approach based on a the
¥27 dBm/MHz limit at or above 5.925
GHz that the Commission has effectively
applied to U–NII–3 transmissions to
protect ITS operations. Specifically, for
outdoor U–NII–4 band devices, Wi-Fi
Alliance proposes OOBE limits that
mirror the existing limits for U–NII–3
devices at and above 5.895 GHz (i.e., ¥5
dBm/MHz at 5.895 GHz, decreasing
linearly to ¥27 dBm/MHz at 5.925
GHz). The Wi-Fi Alliance asserts that
these U–NII–3 OOBE limits have proven
to be effective in protecting ITS; there is
no basis for imposing more stringent
OOBE limits on operations in the U–
NII–4 band since the Commission has
already affirmed that the U–NII–3 OOBE
limits afford sufficient protection to
DSRC systems and C–V2X operations do
not require greater protection than
DSRC operations. The Wi-Fi Alliance
argues that the Commission should
reject arguments for more restrictive
OOBE limits because imposing
prohibitively burdensome and
unnecessary band coexistence measures
on U–NII–4 devices would preclude
commercial viability of this band and
defeat the objective of making
additional spectrum available for
unlicensed operations. The Wi-Fi
Alliance also supports applying the
existing U–NII–3 OOBE limits at the
lower edge of the U–NII–3 band for
outdoor U–NII–4 devices, or devices
that operate across a single channel that
spans the U–NII–3 and U–NII–4 bands,
i.e., at 5.725 GHz, while not imposing
any OOBE limit for U–NII–4 devices at
the U–NII–3/U–NII–4 band edge (i.e., at
5.850 GHz).
44. For outdoor U–NII–4 access point
devices or outdoor access point devices
that operate across a single channel that
spans the U–NII–3 and U–NII–4 bands,
we propose the outdoor U–NII–4 OOBE
limits recommended by the Wi-Fi
Alliance of ¥5 dBm/MHz at 5.895 GHz,
decreasing linearly to ¥27 dBm/MHz at
5.925 GHz, measured using an RMS
measurement. We are not convinced
that the more relaxed OOBE limits
suggested by unlicensed proponents
would adequately protect ITS
operations from harmful interference
since they are less restrictive than
existing U–NII–3 OOBE limits. We are
also not convinced that the more
stringent OOBE limits suggested by ITS
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proponents are necessary to protect
adjacent-band ITS operations since they
are more restrictive than the existing
U–NII–3 OOBE limits, which the
Commission previously affirmed would
protect DSRC operations and have
already proven to be effective in
protecting ITS operations from harmful
interference. We also propose to apply
the existing U–NII–3 OOBE limits at the
lower edge of the U–NII–3 band for
outdoor U–NII–4 devices, or devices
that operate across a single channel that
spans the U–NII–3 and U–NII–4 bands,
i.e., at 5.725 GHz, while not imposing
any OOBE limits for U–NII–4 devices at
the U–NII–3/U–NII–4 band edge, i.e., at
5.850 GHz. We believe that these limits
will protect adjacent-band ITS
operations from harmful interference
due to unlicensed operations in the
U–NII–4 band, support separate U–NII–
3 and U–NII–4 bands to provide
flexibility for designing U–NII–3
equipment under the less stringent
OOBE rules at the upper edge of the
band, and provide flexibility for devices
to operate across the U–NII–3 and U–
NII–4 bands using the widest channel
bandwidths permitted under the IEEE
802.11 standard. We seek comment on
these proposals.
45. Protection of Fixed-Satellite
Service Operations. In the First Report
and Order in this proceeding, we
declined to adopt SES Americom’s and
Intelsat’s suggestion to establish a
maximum permissible aggregate power
limit for U–NII–4 band unlicensed
devices’ operations that would be
monitored and controlled by an
Automatic Frequency Coordination
(AFC) system to help protect FSS
operations. However, as a precautionary
measure to further protect FSS
operations from harmful interference,
we propose to require U–NII–4 band
outdoor access points to limit the
maximum EIRP above a 30 degree
elevation angle to 21 dBm, which is
similar to what the Commission already
requires in the U–NII–1, U–NII–5, and
U–NII–7 bands to protect FSS
operations. This skyward restriction
should address SES Americom’s and
Intelsat’s concerns about potential
aggregate interference from U–NII–4
band unlicensed operations. Since we
do not expect outdoor access points to
radiate significant power skyward, we
do not believe this requirement will
impose a burden on or affect the utility
of outdoor access point users.
46. We do not find it necessary to
propose to restrict the power radiated
upward from U–NII–4 client devices as
we propose to require for outdoor access
points. We believe it is unlikely that
relatively low-power unlicensed devices
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will cause harmful interference to
receivers on geostationary satellites
approximately 35,800 km above the
equator and seek comment. We propose
to limit upward power from outdoor
U–NII–4 access points merely as a
precautionary measure, as they are more
likely to operate with higher power.
While client devices can operate with
an EIRP as high as 30 dBm (6 dB lower
than access points’ maximum allowed
power), we find that they are less likely
to cause interference to satellite
receivers than similarly powered
outdoor access points due to the nature
of their operation. We expect them to
generally operate at much lower power
levels to maximize battery life and
comply with radiofrequency (RF)
exposure limits. In addition, client
devices communicate with access points
in an asymmetric nature, in that
relatively little data is transmitted in the
uplink direction (i.e. from the client
device) as compared to the downlink
direction where any single access point
may be serving many client devices.
Moreover, client devices typically
operate with omnidirectional antennas
at low antenna heights and in a mobile
or portable mode (i.e., not installed in
permanent outdoor locations). Thus, we
expect that upwardly directed client
device emissions will often be at low
power levels and shielded to some
extent by buildings, foliage, or other
obstructions. We seek comment on these
proposals and conclusions.
47. Increased Transmit Power for
Indoor U–NII–4 Access Points. In the
First Report and Order, we adopt a 20
dBm/MHz limit for indoor U–NII–4
access points, largely to protect cochannel ITS incumbent operations. We
propose that indoor U–NII–4 devices be
permitted to increase power to 23 dBm/
MHz or 36 dBm radiated power for all
bandwidths upon the later of one year
following the effective date of the First
Report and Order (i.e., the date by when
ITS operations must transition out of the
5.850–5.895 GHz band) or the effective
date of a Second Report and Order
adopting these proposed power
increases. We seek comment on this
proposal. We note that these proposed
limits are consistent with NTIA’s
radiolocation protection analysis. In
making this proposal, we do not
propose to change any other aspect of
indoor U–NII–4 devices; they would
still be required to incorporate all the
mitigation features we adopted in the
First Report and Order, including the
requirement to obtain power from a
wired connection, a prohibition on
weatherized enclosures and a
requirement for an integrated antenna.
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Client devices would be limited to
power levels 6 dB below the power
limits for access points.
48. U–NII–4 Client to Client
Communications. The rules adopted in
the First Report and Order prohibit
U–NII–4 client-to-client
communications to protect co-channel
incumbent ITS operations and federal
radiolocation stations. But only the
federal radiolocation stations will
require protection after ITS operations
transition out of the 5.850–5.895 GHz
band. We seek comment on whether we
can remove the client-to-client
communications prohibition upon the
later of one year following the effective
date of the First Report and Order (i.e.,
the date by when ITS operations must
transition out of the 5.850–5.895 GHz
band) or the effective date of a Second
Report and Order eliminating the
prohibition. As an initial matter, we
note that NTIA’s analysis for protecting
these 30 radiolocation sites concludes
that C–V2X OBUs can operate
throughout the U.S. with no limitation.
That analysis assumed that such OBUs
operate with power levels up to 17
dBm/20 MHz or 50 mW. The equivalent
power for wider channels is 20 dBm/40
MHz (100 mW), 23 dBm/80 MHz (200
mW) and 26 dBm/160 MHz (400 mW).
Our proposal for C–V2X OBUs would
limit power to no more than 23 dBm
EIRP. We therefore seek comment on
whether we can allow U–NII–4 clientto-client device communications at that
same 23 dBm EIRP power level. Such
communications could enable
innovative new virtual reality or
augmented reality applications in much
the way similar applications have been
envisioned under the Commission’s
proposals for ubiquitous operation of
very low power devices in the 6 GHz
U–NII bands.
49. Although U–NII–4 devices would
not necessarily be in moving vehicles
like C–V2X OBUs, would their
operations still be functionally similar
to such operations so as to allow the
same power levels and still protect
federal radiolocation operations? If
concerns regarding potential harmful
interference to federal operations
persists, are there measures we could
take to enable U–NII–4 client-to-client
communications in areas outside the
exclusion zones or with lower power
within the exclusion zones? For
example, because client devices are
often smart phones with embedded
geolocation technology, could an app or
database connection or other mitigation
method be used to control power or
avoid certain areas where the potential
for causing harmful interference is the
greatest? We also note that 5GAA
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requests that we permit OBUs to
transmit with as much at 33 dBm EIRP.
How would OBUs at higher power
levels affect the ability to permit clientto-client communications? 5GAA also
states that U–NII–4 client-to-client
operations could reduce the
effectiveness of adjacent band C–V2X
safety services. We seek comment on
whether we can permit client-to-client
communication and under what
conditions. Commenters should provide
technical and operations details as to
how devices operating in a client to
client mode would avoid causing
harmful interference to co-channel
federal radiolocation operations as well
as to adjacent band C–V2X safety
services.
C. Other Spectrum for ITS
50. As discussed in the First Report
and Order, the record supports 30
megahertz of spectrum as sufficient to
provide basic safety functions of ITS
currently deployed and under
consideration in the near future.
Commenters have suggested, however,
that additional spectrum may be needed
either to support simultaneous
deployment of 4G and 5G–NR C–V2X
service or to support other advanced
capabilities beyond the basic safety
messages currently available.
51. We seek comment on whether,
notwithstanding our determination that
current safety-of-life services can
continue to operate using 30 megahertz
of spectrum, we should consider
allocating additional spectrum for ITS
applications. For what purposes would
additional spectrum be needed? We
note that the record evidence indicates
that several categories of transportationrelated communications and other ITS
applications are currently being met
through spectrum outside of the 5.9 GHz
band. For example, capabilities like
blind spot detection, lane-keep assist,
and features that do not operate in the
5.9 GHz band, which provide
substantial automotive and vehicular
safety functions. Panasonic in its
comments states that technologies like
LiDAR, 76–81 GHz band radar, or other
line-of-sight sensors can support
advance driver assistance systems (e.g.
automatic emergency braking or lanekeeping). To the extent some ITS
applications (or their functional
equivalent) are currently being provided
using alternative spectrum bands,
commenters should explain with
specificity why existing spectrum
resources are inadequate and what
specific safety benefits would result
from making additional spectrum
available for such services.
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52. Panasonic suggests that harnessing
the advantages of fully automated
transportation requires cooperation
between different vehicles with
different levels of automation and the
transportation infrastructure. Similarly,
the U.S. DOT stated that in-vehicle
sensors are susceptible to ‘‘blind spots’’
when they are operating outside of lineof-sight scenarios. U.S. DOT claims that
the combination of sensors and V2X,
with access to dedicated spectrum, will
best provide enhancements to driver
safety and will support automated
driving behavior in the future.
53. We have already recognized that
C–V2X is the preferred choice for
deployment in the upper 30 megahertz
portion of the band. How, in particular,
would additional spectrum be used to
leverage this technology and aid in its
deployment? Should we determine that
additional spectrum is needed to
provide advanced ITS applications,
what spectrum band(s) should we
consider? Open Technology Institute
and Public Knowledge have mentioned
the 3450–3550 MHz band. Other
commenters, like Dynamic Spectrum
Alliance and NCTA, proposed allowing
C–V2X to operate in the 4.9 GHz band.
Other commenters provided similar
views. In the intervening period since
adoption of the 5.9 GHz NPRM,
however, the Commission has adopted
rule changes for the 4.9 GHz band to
allow for non-public safety operation
and leasing arrangements and has
proposed allocating the 3.45–3.55 GHz
band for flexible-use service. We also
note that that commenters have
mentioned a ‘‘clean sheet’’ approach
when considering the best spectrum
band in which to locate the proposed
C–V2X operations. Others mention
allowing ITS to use flexible use licensed
or unlicensed spectrum in the way other
technologies do. Commenters
addressing this issue should provide
specific information regarding spectrum
bands that could support ITS
operations, the types of applications or
services they envision for that particular
band and how C–V2X could coexist
with existing spectrum users in that
band(s). We also note that the
commenters should consider the
propagation characteristics of the
spectrum they identify relative to the
technology needs of ITS services (e.g.
low latency, reliability, non-line of sight
communications, processing
capabilities, international trends, and
relevant standards-setting factors). Are
there other rule changes we could make
to enable vehicular safety-related
applications in other bands on a shared
basis?
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III. Incorporation by Reference
54. Sections 90.375, 90.379, and
95.3189 of the proposed rules provide
that C–V2X Roadside Units (RSUs) and
C–V2X On-Board Unit (OBU)
transmitter types operating in the 5895–
5925 MHz band must comply with the
technical standard 3rd Generation
Partnership Project Technical
Specification Group Services and
System Aspects (3GPP) Release 14. The
OFR has regulations concerning
incorporation by reference. 1 CFR part
51. These regulations require that, for a
proposed rule, agencies must discuss in
the preamble to the proposed rule the
way in which materials that the agency
incorporates by reference are reasonably
available to interested parties, and how
interested parties can obtain the
materials. Additionally, the preamble to
the proposed rule must summarize the
material. 1 CFR 51.5(a).
55. In accordance with the OFR’s
requirements, the discussion in section
II.A. of this preamble summarizes the
provisions of 3GPP Release 14.
Interested persons may obtain a copy of
3GPP Release 14 through 3GPP’s
website at the address provided in
§§ 90.395 and 95.3189 the rule. A copy
of the standard may also be inspected at
the FCC’s main office.
IV. Initial Regulatory Flexibility
Analysis
56. As required by the Regulatory
Flexibility Act of 1980, as amended
(RFA), the Commission has prepared
this present Initial Regulatory
Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) of the
possible significant economic impact on
a substantial number of small entities by
the policies and rules proposed in this
Further Notice. Written public
comments are requested on this IRFA.
Comments must be identified as
responses to the IRFA and must be filed
by the deadlines for comments on the
Further Notice provided in the item.
A. Need for, and Objectives of, the
Proposed Rules
57. In this Further Notice, we propose
to resolve the timing, procedures, and
technical parameters associated with the
transition of the updated 5.9 GHz band
plan. Specifically, the Further Notice
proposes to allow full-power outdoor
unlicensed operations across the 5.850–
5.895 GHz band once ITS operations
have exited this portion of the band and
subject to any further necessary
protections for federal operations in this
spectrum. The draft also seeks to
establish power and emissions limits
and other rules related to outdoor
unlicensed operations in the lower 45
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megahertz of the band. The draft would
address transitioning all ITS operations
in the revised ITS band at 5.895–5.925
GHz to C–V2X-based technology,
including the appropriate timeline for
implementation, and the codification of
C–V2X technical parameters for
operation in the 5.895–5.925 GHz band.
The Further Notice would also seek
comment on whether the Commission
should consider allocating additional
spectrum for ITS applications in the
future.
B. Legal Basis
58. The proposed action is taken
authority found in sections 1, 4(i), 301,
302, 303, 309, 316, and 332 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as
amended, 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 301,
302, 303, 309, 316, and 332, and section
1.411 of the Commission’s Rules, 47
CFR 1.411.
C. Description and Estimate of the
Number of Small Entities to Which the
Proposed Rules Will Apply
59. The RFA directs agencies to
provide a description of, and where
feasible, an estimate of the number of
small entities that may be affected by
the proposed rules, if adopted. The RFA
generally defines the term ‘‘small
entity’’ as having the same meaning as
the terms ‘‘small business,’’ ‘‘small
organization,’’ and ‘‘small governmental
jurisdiction.’’ In addition, the term
‘‘small business’’ has the same meaning
as the term ‘‘small business concern’’
under the Small Business Act. A ‘‘small
business concern’’ is one which: (1) Is
independently owned and operated; (2)
is not dominant in its field of operation;
and (3) satisfies any additional criteria
established by the Small Business
Administration (SBA).
60. Small Businesses, Small
Organizations, Small Governmental
Jurisdictions. Our actions, over time,
may affect small entities that are not
easily categorized at present. We
therefore describe here, at the outset,
three broad groups of small entities that
could be directly affected herein. First,
while there are industry specific size
standards for small businesses that are
used in the regulatory flexibility
analysis, according to data from the
Small Business Administration’s (SBA)
Office of Advocacy, in general a small
business is an independent business
having fewer than 500 employees. These
types of small businesses represent
99.9% of all businesses in the United
States, which translates to 30.7 million
businesses.
61. Next, the type of small entity
described as a ‘‘small organization’’ is
generally ‘‘any not-for-profit enterprise
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which is independently owned and
operated and is not dominant in its
field.’’ The Internal Revenue Service
(IRS) uses a revenue benchmark of
$50,000 or less to delineate its annual
electronic filing requirements for small
exempt organizations. Nationwide, for
tax year 2018, there were approximately
571,709 small exempt organizations in
the U.S. reporting revenues of $50,000
or less according to the registration and
tax data for exempt organizations
available from the IRS.
62. Finally, the small entity described
as a ‘‘small governmental jurisdiction’’
is defined generally as ‘‘governments of
cities, counties, towns, townships,
villages, school districts, or special
districts, with a population of less than
fifty thousand.’’ U.S. Census Bureau
data from the 2017 Census of
Governments indicate that there were
90,075 local governmental jurisdictions
consisting of general purpose
governments and special purpose
governments in the United States. While
the special purpose governments
category also includes local special
district governments, the 2017 Census of
Governments data does not provide data
aggregated based on population size for
the special purpose governments
category. Therefore, only data from
independent school districts is included
in the special purpose governments
category. Of the 90,075 local
governmental jurisdictions, there were
36,931 general purpose governments
(county, municipal and town or
township) with populations of less than
50,000, and 12,040 special purpose
governments—independent school
districts with enrollment populations of
less than 50,000. Accordingly, based on
the 2017 U.S. Census of Governments
data, we estimate that at least 48,971
entities fall into the category of ‘‘small
governmental jurisdictions.’’
63. Radio Frequency Equipment
Manufacturers (RF Manufacturers).
Neither the Commission nor the SBA
has developed a small business size
standard applicable to Radio Frequency
Equipment Manufacturers (RF
Manufacturers). There are several
analogous SBA small entity categories
applicable to RF Manufacturers—Fixed
Microwave Services, Other
Communications Equipment
Manufacturing, and Radio and
Television Broadcasting and Wireless
Communications Equipment
Manufacturing. A description of these
small entity categories and the small
business size standards under the SBA
rules are detailed below.
64. Fixed Microwave Services.
Microwave services include common
carrier, private-operational fixed, and
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broadcast auxiliary radio services. They
also include the Upper Microwave
Flexible Use Service, Millimeter Wave
Service, Local Multipoint Distribution
Service (LMDS), the Digital Electronic
Message Service (DEMS), and the 24
GHz Service, where licensees can
choose between common carrier and
non-common carrier status. A review of
the Commission’s Universal Licensing
System in 2015, found approximately
66,680 common carrier fixed licensees,
69,360 private and public safety
operational-fixed licensees, 20,150
broadcast auxiliary radio licensees, 411
LMDS licenses, 33 24 GHz DEMS
licenses, 777 39 GHz licenses, and five
24 GHz licenses, and 467 Millimeter
Wave licenses in the microwave
services. The Commission has not yet
defined a small business with respect to
microwave services. The closest
applicable SBA category is Wireless
Telecommunications Carriers (except
Satellite) and the appropriate size
standard for this category under SBA
rules is that such a business is small if
it has 1,500 or fewer employees. For this
industry, U.S. Census Bureau data for
2012 show that there were 967 firms
that operated for the entire year. Of this
total, 955 firms had employment of 999
or fewer employees and 12 had
employment of 1000 employees or
more. Thus under this SBA category and
the associated size standard, the
Commission estimates that a majority of
fixed microwave service licensees can
be considered small.
65. The Commission does not have
data specifying the number of these
licensees that have more than 1,500
employees, and thus is unable at this
time to estimate with greater precision
the number of fixed microwave service
licensees that would qualify as small
business concerns under the SBA’s
small business size standard.
Consequently, the Commission
estimates that there are up to 36,708
common carrier fixed licensees and up
to 59,291 private operational-fixed
licensees and broadcast auxiliary radio
licensees in the microwave services that
may be small and may be affected by the
rules and policies discussed herein. We
note, however, that the microwave fixed
licensee category includes some large
entities.
66. Other Communications
Equipment Manufacturing. This
industry comprises establishments
primarily engaged in manufacturing
communications equipment (except
telephone apparatus, and radio and
television broadcast, and wireless
communications equipment). Examples
of such manufacturing include fire
detection and alarm systems
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manufacturing, Intercom systems and
equipment manufacturing, and signals
(e.g., highway, pedestrian, railway,
traffic) manufacturing. The SBA has
established a size standard for this
industry as all such firms having 750 or
fewer employees. U.S. Census Bureau
data for 2012 show that 383
establishments operated in that year. Of
that number, 379 operated with fewer
than 500 employees and 4 had 500 to
999 employees. Based on this data, we
conclude that the majority of Other
Communications Equipment
Manufacturers are small.
67. Radio and Television
Broadcasting and Wireless
Communications Equipment
Manufacturing. This industry comprises
establishments primarily engaged in
manufacturing radio and television
broadcast and wireless communications
equipment. Examples of products made
by these establishments are:
transmitting and receiving antennas,
cable television equipment, GPS
equipment, pagers, cellular phones,
mobile communications equipment, and
radio and television studio and
broadcasting equipment. The SBA has
established a size standard for this
industry of 1,250 employees or less.
U.S. Census Bureau data for 2012 show
that 841 establishments operated in this
industry in that year. Of that number,
828 establishments operated with fewer
than 1,000 employees, 7 establishments
operated with between 1,000 and 2,499
employees and 6 establishments
operated with 2,500 or more employees.
Based on this data, we conclude that a
majority of manufacturers in this
industry are small.
68. Wireless Telecommunications
Carriers (except Satellite). This industry
comprises establishments engaged in
operating and maintaining switching
and transmission facilities to provide
communications via the airwaves.
Establishments in this industry have
spectrum licenses and provide services
using that spectrum, such as cellular
services, paging services, wireless
internet access, and wireless video
services. The appropriate size standard
under SBA rules is that such a business
is small if it has 1,500 or fewer
employees. For this industry, U.S.
Census Bureau data for 2012 show that
there were 967 firms that operated for
the entire year. Of this total, 955 firms
employed fewer than 1,000 employees
and 12 firms employed of 1,000
employees or more. Thus under this
category and the associated size
standard, the Commission estimates that
the majority of Wireless
Telecommunications Carriers (except
Satellite) are small entities.
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69. Automobile Manufacturing. This
U.S. industry comprises establishments
primarily engaged in (1) manufacturing
complete automobiles (i.e., body and
chassis or unibody) or (2) manufacturing
automobile chassis only. The SBA has
established a size standard for this
industry, which is 1,500 employees or
less. 2012 U.S. Census Bureau data
indicate that 185 establishments
operated in this industry that year. Of
this number, 162 establishments had
employment of fewer than 1,000
employees, and 11 establishments had
employment of 1,000 to 2,499
employees. Therefore, the Commission
estimates that the majority of
manufacturers in this industry are small
entities.
70. Internet Service Providers (NonBroadband). Internet access service
providers such as Dial-up internet
service providers, VoIP service
providers using client-supplied
telecommunications connections and
internet service providers using clientsupplied telecommunications
connections (e.g., dial-up ISPs) fall in
the category of All Other
Telecommunications. The SBA has
developed a small business size
standard for All Other
Telecommunications which consists of
all such firms with gross annual receipts
of $35 million or less. For this category,
U.S. Census Bureau data for 2012 show
that there were 1,442 firms that operated
for the entire year. Of these firms, a total
of 1,400 had gross annual receipts of
less than $25 million. Consequently,
under this size standard a majority of
firms in this industry can be considered
small.
71. Internet Service Providers
(Broadband). Broadband internet
service providers include wired (e.g.,
cable, DSL) and VoIP service providers
using their own operated wired
telecommunications infrastructure fall
in the category of Wired
Telecommunication Carriers. Wired
Telecommunications Carriers are
comprised of establishments primarily
engaged in operating and/or providing
access to transmission facilities and
infrastructure that they own and/or
lease for the transmission of voice, data,
text, sound, and video using wired
telecommunications networks.
Transmission facilities may be based on
a single technology or a combination of
technologies. The SBA size standard for
this category classifies a business as
small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees.
U.S. Census Bureau data for 2012 show
that there were 3,117 firms that operated
that year. Of this total, 3,083 operated
with fewer than 1,000 employees.
Consequently, under this size standard
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the majority of firms in this industry can
be considered small.
72. Cable System Operators (Telecom
Act Standard). The Communications
Act of 1934, as amended, also contains
a size standard for small cable system
operators, which is ‘‘a cable operator
that, directly or through an affiliate,
serves in the aggregate fewer than one
percent of all subscribers in the United
States and is not affiliated with any
entity or entities whose gross annual
revenues in the aggregate exceed
$250,000,000.’’ As of 2019, there were
approximately 48,646,056 basic cable
video subscribers in the United States.
Accordingly, an operator serving fewer
than 486,460 subscribers shall be
deemed a small operator if its annual
revenues, when combined with the total
annual revenues of all its affiliates, do
not exceed $250 million in the
aggregate. Based on available data, we
find that all but five cable operators are
small entities under this size standard.
We note that the Commission neither
requests nor collects information on
whether cable system operators are
affiliated with entities whose gross
annual revenues exceed $250 million.
Therefore, we are unable at this time to
estimate with greater precision the
number of cable system operators that
would qualify as small cable operators
under the definition in the
Communications Act.
73. Intelligent Transportation System
(ITS). The Commission’s own data—
available in its Universal Licensing
System—indicate that, as of October 26,
2020, there are 124 active ITS licenses
in the Commission’s database that will
be affected by our actions. An
authorization to operate in the ITS
service may be obtained by any
territory, possession, state, city, county,
town, or similar governmental entity,
and any public safety or industrial/
business entity meeting the pertinent
eligibility requirements. Prior to
operation, applicants are issued a nonexclusive, geographic area license:
governmental entities are authorized
based on that entity’s legal jurisdictional
area of operations; and nongovernmental entities are licensed based
on each applicant’s area of operation
(i.e., by county, state, multi-state, or
nationwide). 91 licensees are considered
‘‘public safety eligible’’ with the
remaining 33 qualified under the
Industrial/Business Pool requirements.
The Commission does not know how
many of these licensees are small, as the
Commission does not collect that
information for these types of entities.
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D. Description of Projected Reporting,
Recordkeeping, and Other Compliance
Requirements for Small Entities
74. The Further Notice proposes rules
that will affect reporting and other
compliance requirements.
75. The Further Notice proposes to
resolve the timing, procedures, and
technical parameters associated with the
transition of the updated 5.9 GHz band
plan. Specifically, the Further Notice
proposes to allow full-power outdoor
unlicensed operations across the 5.850–
5.895 GHz band once ITS operations
have exited this portion of the band and
subject to any further necessary
protections for federal operations in this
spectrum. The Further Notice also seeks
to establish power and emissions limits
and other rules related to outdoor
unlicensed operations in the lower 45
megahertz of the band. The Further
Notice addresses transitioning all ITS
operations in the revised ITS band at
5.895–5.925 GHz to C–V2X-based
technology, including the appropriate
timeline for implementation, and the
codification of C–V2X technical
parameters for operation in the 5.895–
5.925 GHz band. The Further Notice
also seeks comment on whether the
Commission should consider allocating
additional spectrum for ITS applications
in the future.
76. This transition will require the
Commission, licensees, and
manufacturers to take certain actions,
such as designing and operating
unlicensed devices and C–V2X
equipment per the Commission’s
revised rules.
E. Steps Taken To Minimize the
Significant Economic Impact on Small
Entities, and Significant Alternatives
Considered
77. The RFA requires an agency to
describe any significant alternatives that
it has considered in reaching its
proposed approach, which may include
the following four alternatives (among
others): (1) The establishment of
differing compliance or reporting
requirements or timetables that take into
account the resources available to small
entities; (2) the clarification,
consolidation, or simplification of
compliance or reporting requirements
under the rule for small entities; (3) the
use of performance, rather than design,
standards; and (4) an exemption from
coverage of the rule, or any part thereof,
for small entities.
78. The proposals that would require
equipment modification or new
equipment manufacturing would have
an impact on equipment manufacturers,
some of which may be small entities.
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Though we believe that our proposed
technical rules for U–NII devices and
ITS equipment would provide
appropriate rules for this band, we seek
comment on alternatives that are based
on the existing rules or some other
regulatory scheme, with regard to, e.g.,
power limits and OOBE limits.
79. The regulatory burdens we have
proposed are necessary in order to
ensure that the public receives the
benefits of innovative services and
technologies in a prompt and efficient
manner and apply equally to large and
small entities, thus without differential
impact. We seek comment on any
alternatives, and whether the pros and
cons of leaving these choices to the
industry will assist in reaching the best
outcomes. We will continue to examine
alternatives in the future with the
objectives of eliminating unnecessary
regulations and minimizing any
significant impact on small entities.
F. Federal Rules That May Duplicate,
Overlap, or Conflict With the Proposed
Rules
80. None.
List of Subjects
Communications equipment,
Incorporation by reference, Radio.
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary.
Proposed Rules
For the reasons discussed in the
preamble, the Federal Communications
Commission proposes to amend 47 CFR
parts 15, 90, and 95 as follows:
PART 15—RADIO FREQUENCY
DEVICES
1. The authority citation for part 15
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 302a, 303, 304,
307, 336, 544a, and 549.
2. Amend § 15.407 by revising
paragraphs (a)(3) and (b)(5) to read as
follows:
■
§ 15.407
*
General technical requirements.
*
*
(a) * * *
*
*
(3) For the band 5.725–5.895 GHz:
(i) For the band 5.725–5.850 GHz, the
maximum conducted output power over
the frequency band of operation shall
not exceed 1 W. In addition, the
maximum power spectral density shall
not exceed 30 dBm in any 500–kHz
band. If transmitting antennas of
directional gain greater than 6 dBi are
used, both the maximum conducted
output power and the maximum power
spectral density shall be reduced by the
amount in dB that the directional gain
of the antenna exceeds 6 dBi. However,
fixed point-to-point U–NII devices
operating in this band may employ
transmitting antennas with directional
gain greater than 6 dBi without any
corresponding reduction in transmitter
conducted power. Fixed, point-to-point
operations exclude the use of point-tomultipoint systems, omnidirectional
applications, and multiple collocated
transmitters transmitting the same
information. The operator of the U–NII
device, or if the equipment is
professionally installed, the installer, is
responsible for ensuring that systems
employing high gain directional
antennas are used exclusively for fixed,
point-to-point operations.
(ii) For an indoor access point
operating in the 5.850–5.895 GHz band,
the maximum power spectral density
must not exceed 23 dBm e.i.r.p. in any
1-megahertz band. In addition, the
maximum e.i.r.p. over the frequency
band of operation must not exceed 36
dBm. Indoor access points operating on
a channel that spans the 5.725–5.850
GHz and 5.850–5.895 GHz bands must
not exceed an e.i.r.p. of 36 dBm.
(iii) For client devices operating
under the control of an indoor access
point in the 5.850–5.895 GHz band, the
maximum power spectral density must
not exceed 17 dBm e.i.r.p. in any 1megahertz band, and the maximum
e.i.r.p. over the frequency band of
operation must not exceed 30 dBm.
Client devices operating on a channel
that spans the 5.725–5.850 GHz and
5.850–5.895 GHz bands must not exceed
an e.i.r.p. of 30 dBm.
(iv) For a subordinate device
operating under the control of an indoor
access point in the 5.850–5.895 GHz
band, the maximum power spectral
density must not exceed 23 dBm e.i.r.p
in any 1-megahertz band, and the
maximum e.i.r.p. over the frequency
band of operation must not exceed 36
dBm.
(v) For an outdoor access point
operating in the 5.850–5.895 GHz band,
the maximum power spectral density
must not exceed 23 dBm e.i.r.p. in any
1-megahertz band. In addition, the
maximum e.i.r.p. over the frequency
band of operation must not exceed 36
dBm. Outdoor access points must limit
their maximum e.i.r.p. at any elevation
angle above 30 degrees as measured
from the horizon to 21 dBm (125 mW)
to protect fixed satellite services.
Outdoor access points operating on a
channel that spans the 5.725–5.850 GHz
and 5.850–5.895 GHz bands must not
exceed an e.i.r.p. of 36 dBm.
(vi) In the 5.850–5.895 GHz band,
client devices must operate under the
control of an indoor access point. In all
cases, an exception exists for
transmitting brief messages to an access
point when attempting to join its
network after detecting a signal that
confirms that an access point is
operating on a particular channel.
Access points may connect to other
access points.
(vii) For client devices operating
under the control of an outdoor access
point in the 5.850–5.895 GHz band, the
maximum power spectral density e.i.r.p.
must not exceed 17 dBm in any 1megahertz band, and the maximum
e.i.r.p. over the frequency band of
operation must not exceed 30 dBm.
Client devices operating on a channel
that spans the 5.725–5.850 GHz and
5.850–5.895 GHz bands must not exceed
an e.i.r.p. of 30 dBm.
(viii) Operation of outdoor U–NII
devices in the 5.850–5.895 GHz band
within the exclusion zones listed in the
table below, to which NTIA may amend,
modify, or revoke locations and
associated parameters, is not permitted.
The outdoor U–NII exclusion zones for
each federal facility location are
characterized by a center point
(latitude/longitude) and radius (to
define a circular area) to facilitate the
regulator process of coordination.
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TABLE 1 TO PARAGRAPH (a)(3)—EXCLUSION ZONES
Latitude
DD-MM-SS
North
Facility name
Anclote, Florida ............................................................................................................................
Cape Canaveral, Florida ..............................................................................................................
Cape San Blas, Florida ...............................................................................................................
Carabelle Field, Florida ...............................................................................................................
Charleston, South Carolina .........................................................................................................
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28–11–18
28–28–54
29–40–31
29–50–38
32–51–48
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Longitude
DD-MM-SS
West
82–47–40
80–34–35
85–20–48
84–39–46
79–57–48
Exclusion
zone radius
(km)
54
53
55
54
55
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23337
TABLE 1 TO PARAGRAPH (a)(3)—EXCLUSION ZONES—Continued
Latitude
DD-MM-SS
North
Facility name
Edwards, California ......................................................................................................................
Eglin, Florida ................................................................................................................................
Fort Walton Beach, Florida ..........................................................................................................
Kennedy Space Center, Florida ..................................................................................................
Key West, Florida ........................................................................................................................
Kirtland AFB, New Mexico ...........................................................................................................
Kokeepark, Hawaii .......................................................................................................................
MacDill, Florida ............................................................................................................................
NV Test Training Range, Nevada ...............................................................................................
Patuxent River, Maryland ............................................................................................................
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii ...................................................................................................................
Pillar Point, California ..................................................................................................................
Poker Flat, Alaska .......................................................................................................................
Port Canaveral, Florida ................................................................................................................
Port Hueneme, California ............................................................................................................
Point Mugu, California .................................................................................................................
Saddlebunch Keys, Florida ..........................................................................................................
San Diego, California ...................................................................................................................
San Nicolas Island, California .....................................................................................................
Tonopah Test Range, Nevada ....................................................................................................
Vandenberg, California ................................................................................................................
Venice, Florida .............................................................................................................................
Wallops Island, Virginia ...............................................................................................................
White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico ..................................................................................
Yuma, Arizona .............................................................................................................................
Note 1 to paragraph (a)(3): The
Commission strongly recommends that
parties employing U–NII devices to provide
critical communications services should
determine if there are any nearby
Government radar systems that could affect
their operation.
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*
*
*
*
*
(b) * * *
(5) For transmitters operating solely in
the 5.850–5.895 GHz band or operating
on a channel that spans across 5.725–
5.895 GHz:
(i) For an indoor access point or
subordinate device, all emissions at or
above 5.895 GHz shall not exceed an
e.i.r.p. of 15 dBm/MHz and shall
decrease linearly to an e.i.r.p. of ¥7
dBm/MHz at or above 5.925 GHz.
(ii) For a client device or an outdoor
access point, all emissions at or above
5.895 GHz shall not exceed an e.i.r.p. of
¥5 dBm/MHz and shall decrease
linearly to an e.i.r.p. of ¥27 dBm/MHz
at or above 5.925 GHz.
(iii) All emissions below 5.725 GHz
shall not exceed an e.i.r.p. of ¥27 dBm/
MHz at 5.65 GHz increasing linearly to
10 dBm/MHz at 5.7 GHz, and from 5.7
GHz increasing linearly to a level of 15.6
dBm/MHz at 5.72 GHz, and from 5.72
GHz increasing linearly to a level of 27
dBm/MHz at 5.725 GHz.
*
*
*
*
*
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PART 90—PRIVATE LAND MOBILE
RADIO SERVICES
3. The authority citation for part 90
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 161, 303(g),
303(r), 332(c)(7), 1401–1473.
Subpart A—General Information
4. Amend § 90.7 by removing the
definition of ‘‘Dedicated Short Range
Communication Service (DSRCS),’’
adding a definition for ‘‘Cellular Vehicle
to Everything Service (CV2X)’’ in
alphabetical order, and revising the
definitions of ‘‘On-Board unit (OBU)’’,
‘‘Roadside unit (RSU)’’, and ‘‘Roadway
bed surface’’.
The addition and revisions read as
follows:
■
§ 90.7
Definitions.
*
*
*
*
*
Cellular Vehicle to Everything Service
(C–V2X). The use of cellular radio
techniques defined by the 3rd
Generation Partnership Program (3GPP)
to transfer data between roadside and
mobile units, between mobile units, and
between portable and mobile units to
perform operations related to the
improvement of traffic flow, traffic
safety, and other intelligent
transportation service applications in a
variety of environments. C–V2X systems
may also transmit status and
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34–56–43
30–37–51
30–24–53
28–25–29
24–33–09
34–59–51
22–07–35
27–50–37
37–18–27
38–16–55
21–21–17
37–29–52
65–07–36
28–24–42
34–08–60
34–07–17
24–38–51
32–43–00
33–14–47
37–44–00
34–34–58
27–04–37
37–51–23
32–58–26
32–54–03
Longitude
DD-MM-SS
West
117–54–50
86–24–16
86–39–58
80–39–51
81–48–28
106–28–54
159–40–06
82–30–04
116–10–24
76–25–12
157–57–51
122–29–59
147–29–21
80–36–17
119–12–24
119–9–01
81–36–22
117–11–00
119–31–07
116–43–00
120–33–42
82–27–03
75–30–41
106–23–43
114–23–10
Exclusion
zone radius
(km)
51
116
56
98
54
15
49
58
184
7
55
10
58
54
54
81
54
54
166
48
74
54
68
160
49
instructional messages related to the
units involved.
*
*
*
*
*
On-Board Unit (OBU). An On-Board
Unit is a C–V2X transceiver that is
normally mounted in or on a vehicle, or
which in some instances may be a
portable unit. An OBU can be
operational while a vehicle or person is
either mobile or stationary. The OBUs
receive and transmit on one or more
radio frequency (RF) channels. Except
where specifically excluded, OBU
operation is permitted wherever vehicle
operation or human passage is
permitted. The OBUs mounted in
vehicles are licensed by rule under part
95 of this chapter and communicate
with Roadside Units (RSUs) and other
OBUs. Portable OBUs are also licensed
by rule under part 95 of this chapter.
Roadside Unit (RSU). A Roadside
Unit is a C–V2X transceiver that is
mounted along a road or pedestrian
passageway. An RSU may also be
mounted on a vehicle or is hand carried,
but it may only operate when the
vehicle or hand-carried unit is
stationary. Furthermore, an RSU
operating under this part is restricted to
the location where it is licensed to
operate. However, portable or hand-held
RSUs are permitted to operate where
they do not interfere with a site-licensed
operation. An RSU broadcasts data to or
exchanges data with OBUs.
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Roadway bed surface. For C–V2X, the
road surface at ground level.
*
*
*
*
*
Subpart H—Policies Governing the
Assignment of Frequencies
5. Amend § 90.175 by revising
paragraph (j)(16) to read as follows:
§ 90.175 Frequency coordinator
requirements.
*
*
*
*
*
(j) * * *
(16) Applications for C–V2X licenses
(as well as registrations for Roadside
Units) under subpart M of this part in
the 5895–5925 GHz band.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 6. Amend § 90.179 by revising
paragraph (f) to read as follows:
Shared use of radio stations.
*
*
*
*
*
(f) Above 800 MHz, shared use on a
for-profit private carrier basis is
permitted only by SMR, Private Carrier
Paging, LMS, and C–V2X licensees. See
subparts M, P, and S of this part.
*
*
*
*
*
7. In § 90.210, amend Table 1 by
removing the entry for ‘‘5850–5925’’ and
adding an entry for ‘‘5895–5925’’ in its
place and revising footnote 4 to read as
follows:
■
*
Emission masks.
*
*
*
Mask for
equipment
with
audio low
pass filter
*
*
5895–5925 4
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Mask for
equipment
without
audio low
pass filter
4 CV2X
Service Roadside Units equipment
in the 5895–5925 MHz band is governed
under subpart M of this part.
*
*
*
*
*
8. In § 90.213(a), revise footnote 10 in
Table 1 to read as follows:
■
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§ 90.213
Frequency stability.
(a) * * *
10 Frequency
stability for C–V2X Service
equipment in the 5895–5925 MHz band is
specified in subpart M of this part. For all
other equipment, frequency stability is to be
specified in the station authorization.
*
*
*
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*
*
17:58 Apr 30, 2021
Regulations Governing the Licensing
and Use of Frequencies in the 5895–
5925 MHz Band for Cellular Vehicle to
Everything (C–V2X) Service
*
*
*
*
*
11. Amend § 90.370 by revising
paragraph (a) to read as follows:
§ 90.370
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Permitted frequencies.
(a) C–V2X Roadside Units (RSUs) are
permitted to operate in the 5895–5925
MHz band.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 12. Revise § 90.371 to read as follows:
C–V2X.
(a) C–V2X Roadside Units (RSUs)
operating in the band 5895–5925 MHz
shall not receive protection from
Government Radiolocation services in
operation prior to the establishment of
the RSU. Operation of RSU stations
within the zones listed in the table
below, to which NTIA may amend,
modify, or revoke locations and
associated parameters, must be
coordinated through the National
Telecommunications and Information
Administration.
(b) C–V2X Roadside Units (RSUs)
operating in the band 5895–5925 MHz
shall not receive protection from
Government Radiolocation services in
operation prior to the establishment of
the C–V2X station. Operation of C–V2X
RSU stations within the radius centered
on the locations listed in the table
below, to which NTIA may amend,
modify, or revoke locations and
associated parameters, must be
coordinated through the National
Telecommunications and Information
Administration.
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13. Amend § 90.373 by revising the
section heading and the introductory
text to read as follows:
■
§ 90.373
Scope.
The Intelligent Transportation
Systems (ITS) radio service is for the
purpose of integrating radio-based
technologies into the nation’s
transportation infrastructure and to
develop and implement the nation’s
intelligent transportation systems. It
includes the Location and Monitoring
Service (LMS) and the Cellular Vehicle
to Everything Service (C–V2X). Rules as
to eligibility for licensing, frequencies
available, and any special requirements
for services in the Intelligent
Transportation Systems radio service
are set forth in this subpart.
■ 10. Amend subpart M by revising the
undesignated center heading above
§ 90.370 to read as follows:
*
*
*
*
*
§ 90.371
*
Applicable
emission
masks
frequency
band
(MHz)
*
9. Revise § 90.350 to read as follows:
■
Subpart I—General Technical
Standards
§ 90.210
■
§ 90.350
■
§ 90.179
Subpart M—Intelligent Transportation
Systems Radio Service
Sfmt 4702
Eligibility in C–V2X.
The following entities are eligible to
hold an authorization to operate
Roadside Units in C–V2X:
*
*
*
*
*
■ 14. Revise § 90.375 to read as follows:
§ 90.375 License areas, communication
zones, and registrations.
(a) Roadside Units (RSUs) in the
5895–5925 MHz band are licensed on
the basis of non-exclusive geographic
areas. Governmental applicants will be
issued a geographic area license based
on the geo-political area encompassing
the legal jurisdiction of the entity. All
other applicants will be issued a
geographic area license for their
proposed area of operation based on
county(s), state(s) or nationwide.
(b) Applicants who are approved in
accordance with FCC Form 601 will be
granted non-exclusive licenses for the
channel(s) corresponding to their
intended operations (see § 90.370). Such
licenses serve as a prerequisite of
registering individual RSUs located
within the licensed geographic area
described in paragraph (a) of this
section. Licensees must register each
RSU in the Universal Licensing System
(ULS) before operating such RSU. RSU
registrations are subject, inter alia, to the
requirements of § 1.923 of this chapter
as applicable (antenna structure
registration, environmental concerns,
international coordination, and quiet
zones). Additionally, RSUs at locations
subject to NTIA coordination (see
§ 90.371(a)) may not begin operation
until NTIA approval is received.
Registrations are not effective until the
Commission posts them on the ULS. It
is the licensee’s responsibility to delete
from the registration database any RSUs
that have been discontinued.
(c) Licensees must operate each RSU
in accordance with the Commission’s
rules and the registration data posted on
the ULS for such RSU. Licensees must
register each RSU for the smallest
communication zone needed for the
intelligent transportation systems
application using one of the following
four communication zones:
TABLE 1 TO PARAGRAPH (c)—
COMMUNICATION ZONES
RSU class
A ..............................
B ..............................
C ..............................
E:\FR\FM\03MYP1.SGM
03MYP1
Maximum
output
power
(dBm) 1
Communications
zone
(meters)
0
10
20
15
100
400
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 83 / Monday, May 3, 2021 / Proposed Rules
TABLE 1 TO PARAGRAPH (c)—
COMMUNICATION ZONES—Continued
Maximum
output
power
(dBm) 1
RSU class
D ..............................
I
28.8
Communications
zone
(meters)
I
1000
1 As
described in the ATIS transposed standards of
the 3GPP (incorporated by reference, see § 90.395).
■
15. Revise § 90.377 to read as follows:
§ 90.377
height.
Maximum EIRP and antenna
(a) C–V2X Service licensees must
transmit only the power (EIRP) needed
to communicate with an On-Board Unit
(OBU) within the communications zone
and must take steps to limit the
Roadside Unit (RSU) signal within the
zone to the maximum extent
practicable.
(b) C–V2X licensees must limit RSU
output power to 20 dBm and equivalent
isotropically radiated power (EIRP) to
33 dBm. The EIRP is measured as the
maximum EIRP toward the horizon or
horizontal, whichever is greater, of the
gain associated with the main or center
of the transmission beam.
(c) The radiation center of an RSU
antenna shall not exceed 8 meters above
the roadway bed surface, except that an
RSU may employ an antenna with a
height exceeding 8 meters but not
exceeding 15 meters provided the EIRP
specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of
this section is reduced by a factor of 20
log(Ht/8) in dB where Ht is the height
of the radiation center of the antenna in
meters above the roadway bed surface.
The RSU antenna height must not
exceed 15 meters above the roadway
bed surface.
■ 16. Revise § 90.379 to read as follows:
§ 90.379
Units.
Technical standards for Roadside
C–V2X Service RSUs operating in the
5895–5925 MHz band shall comply with
the V2X sidelink service for this band as
described in the ATIS transposed
standards of the 3GPP specifications
except where these rules and
regulations take precedence
(incorporated by reference, see
§ 90.395).
■ 17. Add § 90.381 to read as follows:
jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with PROPOSALS
§ 90.381
C–V2X emissions limits.
C–V2X Roadside Units (RSUs) must
comply with the following out-of-band
emissions limits.
(a) Conducted limits measured at the
antenna input must not exceed:
(1) ¥29 dBm/100 kHz at the band
edge (The band is defined in § 90.370 of
this part);
(2) ¥35 dBm/100 kHz ± 1 megahertz
from the band edge;
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:58 Apr 30, 2021
Jkt 253001
23339
(3) ¥43 dBm/100 kHz ± 10 megahertz
from the band edge; and
(4) ¥53 dBm/100 kHz ± 20 megahertz
from the band edge.
(b) Radiated limits: All C–V2X Service
RSUs must limit radiated emissions to
–25 dBm/100 kHz EIRP or less outside
the band edges where the band is
defined in § 90.370 of this part.
■ 18. Revise § 90.395 to read as follows:
service station as defined in part 20 of
this chapter.
■ 21. Amend § 90.425 by revising
paragraph (d)(10) to read as follows:
§ 90.395
PART 95—PERSONAL RADIO
SERVICES
Incorporation by reference.
Certain material required in this
section is incorporated by reference into
this subpart with the approval of the
Director of the Federal Register under 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. All
approved material is available for
inspection at the address of the FCC’s
main office indicated in 47 CFR 0.401(a)
and is available from the sources
indicated in this section. It is also
available for inspection at the National
Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the
availability of this material at NARA,
email fedreg.legal@nara.gov or go to
www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/
ibrlocations.html.
(a) 3rd Generation Partnership Project
(3GPP), 3GPP Mobile Competence
Centre c/0 ETSI, 650, route des Lucioles,
06921 Sophia Antipolis Cedex, France,
info@3gpp.org https://www.3gpp.org/
3gpp-calendar/44-specifications/
releases.
(1) 3GPP TR 21.914 V14.0.0 (2018–05)
3rd Generation Partnership Project;
Technical Specification Group Services
and System Aspects; Release 14
Description; Summary of Rel-14 Work
Items; into §§ 90.375(c), 90.379.
(2) [Reserved]
(b) [Reserved]
Subpart N—Operating Requirements
19. Amend § 90.415 by revising
paragraph (b) to read as follows:
*
*
*
*
*
(b) Render a communications
common carrier service, except for
stations in the Public Safety Pool
providing communications standby
facilities under § 90.20(a)(2)(xi) and
stations licensed under this part in the
SMR, private carrier paging, Industrial/
Business Pool, 220–222 MHz, or C–V2X.
■ 20. Amend § 90.421 by adding
paragraph (d) to read as follows:
■
§ 90.421 Operation of mobile station units
not under the control of the licensee.
*
*
*
*
*
(d) C–V2X On-Board Units licensed
by rule under part 95 of this chapter
may communicate with any roadside
unit authorized under this part or any
licensed commercial mobile radio
PO 00000
Frm 00040
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
§ 90.425
Station identification.
*
*
*
*
*
(d) * * *
(10) It is a Roadside Unit (RSU) in a
C–V2X system.
22. The authority citation for part 95
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, and 307.
Subpart L—C–V2X Service On-Board
Units
23. The heading for subpart L is
revised to read as set forth above.
■ 24. Revise § 95.3101 to read as
follows:
■
§ 95.3101
Scope.
This subpart contains rules that apply
only to On-Board Units (OBUs)
transmitting in the 5895–5925 MHz
frequency band in the Cellular Vehicle
to Everything Service (C–V2X) (see
§ 90.371 of this chapter).
■ 25. Amend § 95.3103 by removing the
definition of ‘‘Dedicated Short-Range
Communications Services (DSRCS)’’,
adding a definition for ‘‘Cellular Vehicle
to Everything Service (CV2X)’’ in
alphabetical order, and revising the
definition of ‘‘On-Board Unit (OBU)’’.
The additions and revision read as
follows:
§ 95.3103
Definitions, OBUs.
Cellular Vehicle to Everything Service
(C–V2X). A service providing for data
transfer between various mobile and
roadside transmitting units for the
purposes of improving traffic flow,
highway safety and performing other
intelligent transportation functions. See
§ 90.7 of this chapter for a more detailed
definition.
On-Board Units (OBUs). OBUs are
low-power devices on vehicles that
transfer data to roadside units or other
OBUs in the Cellular Vehicle to
Everything Service (C–V2X) (see
§§ 90.370–90.383 of this chapter), to
improve traffic flow and safety, and for
other intelligent transportation system
purposes. See § 90.7 of this chapter.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 26. Amend § 95.3161 by revising
paragraph (a) to read as follows:
§ 95.3161
OBU transmitter certification.
(a) Each On-Board Unit (OBU) that
operates or is intended to operate in C–
V2X must be certified in accordance
E:\FR\FM\03MYP1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 83 / Monday, May 3, 2021 / Proposed Rules
with this subpart and subpart J of part
2 of this chapter.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 27. Revise § 95.3163 to read as
follows:
§ 95.3163
OBU frequencies.
C–V2X Service OBUs are permitted to
operate in the 5895–5925 MHz band.
■ 28. Revise § 95.3167 to read as
follows:
§ 95.3167
OBU transmit power limit.
(a) The maximum equivalent
isotropically radiated power (EIRP) for
vehicular and portable C–V2X OBU
transmitter types is limited to 33 dBm.
(b) The power limit in paragraph (a)
of this section may be referenced to the
antenna input, so that cable losses are
taken into account.
(c) For purposes of this section, a
portable unit is a transmitting device
designed to be used so that the radiating
structure(s) of the device is/are within
20 centimeters of the body of the user.
■ 29. Add § 95.3179 to read as follows:
§ 95.3179
Unwanted emissions limits.
C–V2X On Board Units must comply
with the following out-of-band
emissions limits.
Conducted limits measured at the
antenna input shall not exceed:
(a) ¥29 dBm/100 kHz at the band
edge (The band is defined in section
95.3163 of this part);
(b) ¥35 dBm/100 kHz ± 1 megahertz
from the band edge;
(c) ¥43 dBm/100 kHz ± 10 megahertz
from the band edge; and
(d) ¥53 dBm/100 kHz ± 20 megahertz
from the band edge.
■ 30. Revise § 95.3189 to read as
follows:
jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with PROPOSALS
§ 95.3189
OBU technical standard.
(a) C–V2X Service OBU transmitter
types operating in the 5895–5925 MHz
band shall comply with the V2X
sidelink service for this band as
described in the ATIS transposed
standards of the 3GPP specifications
except where these rules and
regulations take precedence.
(b) 3GPP TR 21.914 V14.0.0 (2018–05)
3rd Generation Partnership Project;
Technical Specification Group Services
and System Aspects; Release 14
Description; Summary of Rel-14 Work
Items is incorporated by reference into
this section with the approval of the
Director of the Federal Register under 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. All
approved material is available for
inspection at the address of the FCC’s
main office indicated in 47 CFR 0.401(a)
and is available from 3rd Generation
Partnership Project (3GPP), 3GPP
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:58 Apr 30, 2021
Jkt 253001
Mobile Competence Centre c/0 ETSI,
650, route des Lucioles, 06921 Sophia
Antipolis Cedex, France, info@3gpp.org,
at https://www.3gpp.org/3gpp-calendar/
44-specifications/releases. It is also
available for inspection at the National
Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the
availability of this material at NARA,
email fedreg.legal@nara.gov or go to
www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/
ibrlocations.html.
Appendix A to Part 95—[Amended]
■ 31. Amend the table in appendix A to
part 95 by removing the entry of
‘‘95.1509—ASTM E221–03 DSRC
Standard’’.
[FR Doc. 2021–08801 Filed 4–30–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION
47 CFR Part 73
[MB Docket No. 21–178; RM–11905; DA 21–
460; FR ID 23108]
Television Broadcasting Services New
Orleans, Louisiana
Federal Communications
Commission.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
In this document, the Federal
Communications Commission
(Commission) has before it a petition for
rulemaking filed by The Greater New
Orleans Educational Television
Foundation (Petitioner), the licensee of
noncommercial educational PBS
member station WYES–TV, channel
*11, New Orleans, Louisiana. The
Petitioner requests the substitution of
channel *28 for channel *11 at New
Orleans, Louisiana in the DTV Table of
Allotments.
DATES: Comments must be filed on or
before June 2, 2021 and reply comments
on or before June 17, 2021.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,
identified by MB Docket No. 21–178, by
any of the following methods:
• Federal Communications
Commission’s Website: https://
apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• People with Disabilities: Contact the
FCC to request reasonable
accommodations (accessible format
documents, sign language interpreters,
CART, etc.) by email: FCC504@fcc.gov
or phone: 202–418–0530 or TTY: 202–
418–0432.
For detailed instructions for
submitting comments and additional
information on the rulemaking process,
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00041
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
section of this document.
In addition to filing comments with
the FCC, interested parties should serve
counsel for the Petitioner as follows:
Margaret L. Miller, Esq., Gray Miller
Persh, LLP, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue
NW, Washington DC 20007.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Joyce Bernstein, Media Bureau, at (202)
418–1647; or Joyce Bernstein, Media
Bureau, at Joyce.Bernstein@fcc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a
synopsis of the Commission’s Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking, MB Docket No.
21–178; RM–11905; DA 21–460,
adopted and released on April 21, 2021.
The full text of this document is
available for download at https://
www.fcc.gov/edocs. To request materials
in accessible formats (braille, large
print, computer diskettes, or audio
recordings), please send an email to
FCC504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer &
Government Affairs Bureau at (202)
418–0530 (VOICE), (202) 418–0432
(TTY).
In support of its channel substitution
request, the Petitioner states that
WYES–TV is the only station licensed to
New Orleans operating on a VHF
channel, and moving to a UHF channel
would improve viewers’ access to
WYES–TV’s PBS and other public
television programming by improving
indoor reception and resolving VHF
reception issues. Petitioner further
states that the Commission has
recognized that VHF channels have
certain propagation characteristics
which may cause reception issues for
some viewers, including allowing
undesired signals and noise at relatively
further distances, and the tendency of
nearby electrical devices to emit noise
in the VHF band that can cause
interference to stations on VHF
channels. In addition, the Petitioner
submitted an analysis, using the
Commission’s TVStudy software
analysis program, demonstrating that it
will continue to serve all of the
population located within the licensed
channel *11 contour.
Pursuant to §§ 1.415 and 1.419 of the
Commission’s rules, 47 CFR 1.415,
1.419, interested parties may file
comments and reply comments on or
before the dates indicated on the first
page of this document. Comments may
be filed using the Commission’s
Electronic Comment Filing System
(ECFS). See Electronic Filing of
Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings,
63 FR 24121 (1998).
• Electronic Filers: Comments may be
filed electronically using the internet by
E:\FR\FM\03MYP1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 83 (Monday, May 3, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 23323-23340]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-08801]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Parts 15, 90, and 95
[ET Docket No. 19-138; FCC 20-164; FRS 17508]
Use of the 5.850-5.925 GHz Band
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In this document, the Commission addresses issues remaining to
finalize the restructuring of the 5.9 GHz band. Specifically, the
Commission addresses: The transition of ITS operations in the 5.895-
5.925 GHz band from Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) based
technology to Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) based technology;
the codification of C-V2X technical parameters in the Commission's
rules; other transition considerations; and the transmitter power and
emissions limits, and other issues, related to full-power outdoor
unlicensed operations across the entire 5.850-5.895 GHz portion of the
5.9 GHz band. The Commission modified the Further Notice released on
November 20, 2020, with an Erratum released on December 11, 2020. The
Commission released a Second Erratum on February 9, 2021. The
corrections from these errata are included in this document.
DATES: Interested parties may file comments on or before June 2, 2021;
and reply comments on or before July 2, 2021.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by ET Docket No. 19-138,
by any of the following methods:
Federal Communications Commission's website: https://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Mail: Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery,
by commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S.
Postal Service mail. All filings must be addressed to the Commission's
Secretary Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission.
For detailed instructions for submitting comments and additional
information on the rulemaking process, see the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION section of this document.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jamie L. Coleman of the Office of
Engineering and Technology, at 202-418-2705 or [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's
Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Further Notice) in ET Docket No.
19-138, FCC 20-164 adopted November 18, 2020, and released November 20,
2020. The full text of the Further Notice, including all Appendices, is
available by downloading the text from the Commission's website at
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-20-164A1.pdf. When the FCC
Headquarters reopens to the public, the full text of this document also
will be available for public inspection and copying during regular
business hours in the FCC Reference Center, 45 L Street NE, Washington,
DC 20554. Alternative formats are available for people with
disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), by
sending an email to [email protected] or calling the Consumer and
Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-0432
(TTY).
Comment Filing Procedures
Pursuant to Sec. Sec. 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission's rules,
47 CFR 1.415, 1.419, interested parties may file comments and reply
comments on or before the dates indicated on the first page of this
document. Comments may be filed using the Commission's Electronic
Comment Filing System (ECFS). See Electronic Filing of Documents in
Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR 24121 (1998).
Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically
using the internet by accessing the ECFS: https://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/.
Paper Filers: Parties who choose to file by paper must
file an original and one copy of each filing.
Filings can be sent by commercial overnight courier, or by
first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service mail. All filings must be
addressed to the Commission's Secretary, Office of the Secretary,
Federal Communications Commission.
Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service
Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9050 Junction Drive,
Annapolis Junction, MD 20701.
U.S. Postal Service first-class, Express, and Priority
mail must be addressed to 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554.
Effective March 19, 2020, and until further notice, the
Commission no longer accepts any hand or messenger delivered filings.
This is a temporary measure taken to help protect the health and safety
of individuals, and to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19. See FCC
Announces Closure of FCC Headquarters Open Window and Change in Hand-
Delivery Policy, Public
[[Page 23324]]
Notice, DA 20-304 (March 19, 2020). https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-closes-headquarters-open-window-and-changes-hand-delivery-policy.
People with Disabilities: To request materials in accessible
formats for people with disabilities (braille, large print, electronic
files, audio format), send an email to [email protected] or call the
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-
418-0432 (TTY).
Initial Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 Analysis
This document does not contain proposed information collection
requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law
104-13. In addition, therefore, it does not contain any proposed
information collection burden for small business concerns with fewer
than 25 employees, pursuant to the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act
of 2002, Public Law 107-198, see 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(4).
Ex Parte Rules--Permit-But-Disclose
The proceeding this Further Notice initiates shall be treated as a
``permit-but-disclose'' proceeding in accordance with the Commission's
ex parte rules, 47 CFR 1.1200 et seq. Persons making ex parte
presentations must file a copy of any written presentation or a
memorandum summarizing any oral presentation within two business days
after the presentation (unless a different deadline applicable to the
Sunshine period applies). Persons making oral ex parte presentations
are reminded that memoranda summarizing the presentation must (1) list
all persons attending or otherwise participating in the meeting at
which the ex parte presentation was made, and (2) summarize all data
presented and arguments made during the presentation. If the
presentation consisted in whole or in part of the presentation of data
or arguments already reflected in the presenter's written comments,
memoranda or other filings in the proceeding, the presenter may provide
citations to such data or arguments in his or her prior comments,
memoranda, or other filings (specifying the relevant page and/or
paragraph numbers where such data or arguments can be found) in lieu of
summarizing them in the memorandum. Documents shown or given to
Commission staff during ex parte meetings are deemed to be written ex
parte presentations and must be filed consistent with rule 1.1206(b).
In proceedings governed by rule 1.49(f) or for which the Commission has
made available a method of electronic filing, written ex parte
presentations and memoranda summarizing oral ex parte presentations,
and all attachments thereto, must be filed through the electronic
comment filing system available for that proceeding, and must be filed
in their native format (e.g., .doc, .xml, .ppt, searchable .pdf).
Participants in this proceeding should familiarize themselves with the
Commission's ex parte rules.
Synopsis
I. Introduction
1. Simultaneous with this Further Notice, the Commission adopted a
First Report and Order that revised the band plan for the 5.9 GHz band,
authorizing unlicensed use in the lower 45 megahertz of the band
(5.850-5.895 GHz) and retaining the upper 30 megahertz of the band
(5.895-5.925 GHz) for the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) radio
service. As of the effective date of the First Report and Order,
unlicensed indoor operations are permitted in the 5.850-5.895 GHz
portion of the 5.9 GHz band, under specified power and other technical
limitations designed to protect incumbent ITS service and federal radar
operations from harmful interference. The Commission decided to
consider requests for unlicensed outdoor operations in the 5.850-5.895
GHz band through the Commission's existing regulatory process for
individualized and temporary access to spectrum, to be coordinated with
the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
to ensure that federal incumbents are protected from harmful
interference.
2. The Commission implemented a period of one year from the
effective date of the First Report and Order for the ITS licensees to
transition all operations into the 5.895-5.925 GHz portion of the band.
The Commission further adopted rules designating C-V2X technology as
the ITS delivery system once the Commission adopts a deadline and the
transition to the revised ITS band is complete. Pending resolution of
the transition of ITS operations to C-V2X, ITS licensees will be able
to continue their DSRC-based operations or, alternatively, to seek to
deploy C-V2X-based operations through the Commission's existing
regulatory processes.
3. In this Further Notice, we address the remaining issues to
finalize the 5.9 GHz band restructuring. Specifically, the Further
Notice addresses: (1) The transition of all ITS operations to C-V2X-
based technology; (2) the codification of C-V2X technical parameters in
the Commission's rules; (3) other transition considerations; and (4)
the transmitter power and emissions limits, and other issues, related
to full-power outdoor unlicensed operations across the 5.850-5.895 GHz
band.
II. Discussion
A. Transitioning Licensed ITS Operations in the 5.9 GHz Band to C-V2X
Technology
4. Under the First Report and Order, all existing ITS operations
using channels in the lower 45 megahertz of the 5.9 GHz band (5.850-
5.895 GHz) are required to transition out of that spectrum into the
upper 30 megahertz of the 5.9 GHz band (5.895-5.925 GHz) that will
continue to be designated for ITS. ITS licensees must take necessary
steps to assess their existing equipment and infrastructure and either
retune their devices to access only the spectrum in the 30 megahertz
that will remain available for ITS operations or replace their
equipment with transmitters designed to use only the revised ITS band.
In this Further Notice, we propose to address remaining issues that
must be resolved regarding the transition of ITS from DSRC to C-V2X
operations in the 5.895-5.925 GHz band, including the timing and
procedures needed to ensure a smooth transition. We also seek comment
on additional or alternative measures that may be helpful, appropriate,
or necessary.
5. Timeline. In the First Report and Order, we require that ITS
operations in the 5.895-5.925 GHz band ultimately must use C-V2X
technology. In order to complete the transition of the band to C-V2X,
we propose that all ITS operations in the 5.895-5.925 GHz band either
convert to C-V2X or cease operating two years after the effective date
of a Second Report and Order to be adopted in response to this Further
Notice. We seek comment on this proposal.
6. Since the Commission first proposed in December 2019 to
authorize C-V2X operations in the 5.9 GHz band, manufacturers and
licensees have had significant time to begin planning for the possible
entry of C-V2X into the band. We seek comment on the state of
development and availability of C-V2X equipment, both roadside units
(RSUs) and on-board units (OBUs). We believe that two-years beyond the
effective date of the rules the Commission will adopt in the Second
Report and Order will allow the ITS supply chains to become replete
with C-V2X equipment. This timeframe is consistent with the Department
of Transportation's view
[[Page 23325]]
that vehicle manufacturer product cycles necessitate two years lead
time to ensure new V2X equipment is installed in new vehicles. And in
some instances, this timeframe may not be needed as some commenters
have explained that they have already deployed equipment that is both
DSRC and C-V2X compatible. We seek comment on whether manufacturers can
distribute C-V2X equipment through their existing supply chains, and on
whether vehicle manufacturers can install C-V2X equipment into new
vehicles, within this timeframe. Moreover, we expect that many
licensees will begin planning for the eventual transition to C-V2X now
and, thus, may take advantage of available opportunities to immediately
operate C-V2X facilities in the upper 30 megahertz of the band under
our STA, experimental licensing, or other existing regulatory process
without first implementing interim DSRC operations. We seek comment on
the number of licensees that may decide to operate in such a fashion
and the number that plan to continue offering DSRC in the 30-megahertz
band during the transition period. We assume that the transition
process to C-V2X would primarily involve replacing DSRC transmitters
with C-V2X transmitters, since we propose C-V2X technical rules
consistent with the current rules for DSRC and therefore no antenna
changes are needed to cover the same area based on the identical
propagation characteristics between DSRC and C-V2X. We seek comment on
the steps involved with converting all ITS operations in the 5.9 GHz
band to C-V2X technology and the expected time to complete the entire
process. We note that, as stipulated in the First Report and Order,
licensees will not need to initiate changes to their authorizations
when they transition to C-V2X; they simply will need to use equipment
that meets the operational and technical rules the Commission will
adopt in the Second Report and Order for C-V2X technology. If, however,
a licensee needs to concurrently make adjustments to its system to add
sites, increase power, or modify emissions, those changes will require
modifications to the underlying RSU registration information.
7. We also seek comment on how to treat DSRC OBUs at the final
transition date. Can manufacturers or DSRC system operators send over-
the-air instructions to these units to turn off? Can OBUs be modified
through software or hardware changes to operate using C-V2X-based
technology? Absent other operating DSRC infrastructure (such as RSUs),
would OBUs continue to communicate with each other and, if so, what
would such communications entail? Is there any potential for harmful
interference into C-V2X operations that could occur if DSRC OBUs
continue to operate after the final transition date and, if so, how can
such interference best be prevented? We seek comment on our proposed
two-year sunset date for DSRC-based OBU operations and any alternative
date that commenters might suggest. Commenters should be specific as to
the merits of any date they recommend for ceasing DSRC operations in
the 5.9 GHz band.
8. We note that OBUs are licensed-by-rule under the part 95
Personal Radio Services rules. ``Licensed-by-rule'' means that an
authorized user can access the entire available spectrum without an
individual station license document and is instead authorized to
operate as long as the operations are in accordance with the applicable
service rules. As a result, the Commission does not have detailed
information and records on the exact number and location of users of
such equipment. We seek comment on whether there are any specific
issues related to modifying OBUs that are not reflected in the
questions already raised. As an initial matter, we assume that most
OBUs should be easily identified because very few vehicles sold to date
are equipped with OBUs and the vast majority of existing units are
associated with the various ITS trial programs occurring throughout the
U.S. We seek comment on this notion. Are there estimates of the number
of vehicles on the road today that incorporate DSRC-based OBUs
independent of a trial or pilot program (i.e., as part of a commercial
deployment of DSRC services)? Does the Commission need to take steps to
make owners of these vehicles aware of the changes being adopted? Or
would automobile manufacturers take primary responsibility for
notifying their customers of these rule changes? If the Commission
should make owners aware of rule changes affecting OBUs, then how
should the Commission conduct such consumer outreach? Commenters should
provide specific details to justify their positions regarding our
proposals.
9. Technical Parameters. The Commission's ITS rules set forth basic
technical parameters such as power, height, and available channels.
Further, to ensure interoperability within the ITS, DSRC operations are
required to adhere to the provisions specified in the ASTM E2213-03
Standard (ASTM-DSRC), which is incorporated by reference in the
Commission's rules. These rules divide the current 5.9 GHz band into
seven, 10-megahertz channels, with an allowance to combine two pairs of
channels into 20-megahertz channels. Further, specific channels are
intended for public safety use only; one channel in particular, the
``control channel,'' which is outside the modified ITS band plan, is
intended to be used for messages that coordinate channel usage and
prioritize public safety messages. The modified ITS band plan
eliminates the lower four, 10-megahertz channels, including the current
control channel, and one of the public safety channels. These changes
necessitate that we further propose to modify the ITS technical rules
to ensure that ITS delivers its intended safety-related applications to
the American public.
10. Our goal is to facilitate a smooth transition and ensure that
existing ITS services continue with minimal or no interruption.
Accordingly, we must address the technical rules through the transition
process whereby C-V2X will replace DSRC technology in the 5.9 GHz band
and after that transition when C-V2X is the sole technology in the 5.9
GHz ITS band. In the sections below, we seek comment on the technical
considerations related to the simultaneous operation of DSRC and C-V2X
in the 5.895-5.925 GHz portion of the 5.9 GHz band and, ultimately,
exclusive operation of C-V2X in that band. In particular, as commenters
consider the various technical issues addressed here, they should also
frame their comments around considerations necessary during and after
the transition. Specifically, for each technical issue, commenters
should also answer whether there are technical issues that preclude
simultaneous DSRC and C-V2X operations in this band. What spectral and/
or geographic separation requirements, if any, are necessary to prevent
harmful interference between the two types of operations? As ITS
licenses generally specify a defined geographic area and are required
to operate within as small a ``communications zone'' as necessary, can
we permit existing licensees to modify to C-V2X operations premised
simply on not exceeding their existing footprint? Can new licensees be
authorized to use C-V2X before the final transition date, provided that
they avoid existing geographic licensed areas or simply avoid existing
registered RSUs? Are there any adjacent-channel issues that need to be
considered between DSRC and C-V2X to enable nearby operation? For
example, do C-V2X operations in the upper 30 megahertz need to initiate
any mitigation measures to accommodate DSRC operations that
[[Page 23326]]
continue in the lower 45 megahertz during the one-year transition
period? What accommodations can be made to protect RSU sites operated
pursuant to the four incumbent nationwide ITS authorizations?
Commenters should consider how best to balance C-V2X band entry and co-
existence with DSRC during the transition period, in light of the
technical rules we are proposing herein and recommend if there are any
interim measures that may be needed to ensure short-term compatibility
prior to exclusive C-V2X use. We also seek information informed by
current C-V2X tests being conducted under experimental licenses as to
how best to enable a smooth transition from DSRC to C-V2X.
11. Bandwidth. We propose light touch changes to minimize
disruption and simplify the transition from DSRC-based technology to C-
V2X-based technology. The existing ITS band plan contains three, 10-
megahertz channels that will comprise the new ITS band: Channels 180,
182, and 184 corresponding to 5.895-5.905, 5.905-5.915 and 5.915-5.925
GHz, respectively. We seek comment on whether this band plan,
specifying three 10-megahertz channels, should continue for C-V2X. We
also seek comment on whether the band plan should continue to
accommodate combining two channels to provide a single 20-megahertz
channel. Currently, channels 180 and 182 can be combined into channel
181 (5.895-5.915 GHz). Should such channel combining be permitted under
the modified ITS band plan? Alternatively, should channels 182 and 184
be permitted to combine into a single 20-megahertz channel spanning
5.905-5.925 GHz? Should the Commission permit maximum flexibility by
allowing each of these potential channel combinations to be used as
necessary to accommodate various ITS applications and services? What
about allowing all three channels to be combined and used as a single
30-megahertz channel? What are the consequences for any of these
channel bandwidth choices on the deployment and adoption of C-V2X? How
would a completely flexible band plan versus a prescriptive band plan
affect the ability of C-V2X to maximize efficient use of the band? We
seek comment on each of these possibilities and how best to strike the
right balance to ensure efficient and effective band use can be
maximized. Further, commenters should provide sufficient detail
regarding their preferred band plan and how that may work with C-V2X
and all other operational and technical rules that are addressed
herein, such as power limits, out-of-band emissions (OOBE) limits, and
channel use designations.
12. The control channel and the public safety priority channel.
Currently the rules designate channel 178 (5.885-5.895 GHz) as the
control channel and channel 184 (5.915-5.925 GHz) as a public safety
channel. We seek comment on whether there is a compelling reason to
have specific use designations on any or all of the channels used by C-
V2X. Would designating any of the channels for a specific purpose,
e.g., a control channel, help maximize band use efficiency? Does C-V2X
need access to a control channel in a similar fashion as DSRC? If so,
what is the best alternative for accommodating a control channel for C-
V2X? Commenters should provide specific reasoning to support their
preference. How would any channel designation work with the potential
flexibility to combine any two or all three channels?
13. Commenters in favor of any channel designations should include
detail regarding which designations they prefer we retain, which
channel(s) those designations should pertain to, why they make those
particular choices and how those choices will maximize use of the band
and promote safety-related vehicular services. Alternatively, we could
leave the issue of how best to use any of the channels to the
standards-setting process and permit the industry to agree on use
standards, but not designate those in our rules. We seek comment on the
advantages and disadvantages of deferring to industry standardization
processes in lieu of adopting prescriptive rules. Commenters in favor
of using the standards process should also comment on expected
timeframes for such bodies to produce relevant standards and how those
timeframes complement the transition timeframe we propose in this
Further Notice.
14. Relatedly, the existing ITS rules lay out a hierarchical
priority system for messages. Communications involving the safety of
life have access priority over all other ITS communications.
Communications involving public safety have the next priority level
with a presumption that RSUs operated by state or local governmental
entities are engaged in public safety priority communications. At the
lowest tier of the hierarchy are non-priority communications, which are
all other communications. We seek comment on whether to retain this
message priority hierarchy for C-V2X deployment. Because the stated
purpose of the ITS is to promote safety, our inclination is that this
message prioritization system should be retained as it helps to ensure
that the most important messages are successfully transmitted. This may
become even more important as ITS operations must adjust to delivering
service in less spectrum than under the current band plan. We seek
comment on this position. Would such a system work with C-V2X? If we
retain the channel designations, do they need to be modified for C-V2X?
More broadly, are the existing channel designations and operating
protocols still technically relevant under the new band plan? Further,
commenters should address whether this priority system should be
modified in any way. Should there be more granularity in the priority
tiers? If so, then how should such messages be designated? Should they
continue to be associated with specific types of licensees or should
the message type be the determining factor? Should we continue to
maintain a priority system based on our expectation that dedicated ITS
spectrum will be used primarily (if not exclusively) for safety-of-life
applications?
15. Power and antenna height. The 5.9 GHz band ITS spectrum is
shared and licensed on a non-exclusive geographic area basis based on
geo-political boundaries. To maximize the use within this shared
spectrum, the rules require that each registered RSU designate its
intended area of operation or ``communication zone'' and that such
communication zones be the smallest necessary. The rules provide for
four communication zones designated ``A'' through ``D'' for coverage
areas ranging from 15 meters to 1000 meters. Correspondingly, each zone
is associated with a maximum permitted output power ranging from 0 dBm
to 28.8 dBm. While this rule specifies output power, which is power
supplied to the antenna, another rule specifies the maximum radiated
power permitted on each channel ranging generally from 23 dBm to 33
dBm, but permitting state and local government entities to radiate at
higher levels on the control channel (channel 178) at up to 44.8 dBm
and on the public safety priority channel (channel 184) at up to 40
dBm. The Commission's rules also limit RSU antenna height as another
way of ensuring these units do not transmit beyond their designated
zone. RSU antenna height is limited to 8 meters at full power and may
be as high as 15 meters with a corresponding power reduction. Notably,
these rules working together require licensees in many cases to use
directional antennas to attain the highest radiated power levels, which
[[Page 23327]]
also serves to focus the energy to only the desired coverage areas.
16. We seek comment on what the appropriate power levels under the
modified ITS band plan should be. As an initial matter, to maximize
spectrum use among all users, we propose to retain the ``communication
zone'' designations currently in the rules and require RSUs to specify
their intended zone. We believe this will continue to ensure that
stations only cover their intended area and provide opportunities for
other licensees to install RSUs for other nearby areas without mutually
interfering. We seek comment on this proposal and what effect, if any,
it will have on C-V2X. 5GAA in a recent filing modified its initial
position and now requests that the Commission delete the
``communication zone'' rules. Thus, we ask commenters to address
whether the current communication zone distance limits should be
retained or are there reasons to modify or eliminate them? Should they
provide for more extended coverage areas? Or smaller areas? Or are they
effective without change? Commenters advocating changes to the
communication zones should provide specific information on what limits
they favor and why and what effect those changes will have on the
ability for C-V2X to deploy new systems and continue operating into the
future.
17. We also seek comment on the appropriate output and radiated
power levels that should be associated with each communication zone,
channel, and user. The Commission, based on 5GAA's waiver petition,
proposed in the 5.9 GHz NPRM power limits based on the most recent 3GPP
standard (which at the time was Release 14). Specifically, the
Commission proposed that C-V2X devices limit output power to no more
than 20 dBm and limit EIRP to no more than 33 dBm. We are not aware of
any changes to the power requirements in subsequent iterations of the
3GPP standard and thus, propose that C-V2X RSUs comply with that limit.
Should the rules continue to permit higher radiated power for state and
local governmental entities? Or should the rules be consistent among
all users as a way of maximizing spectrum use and controlling potential
interference between users? Should we limit radiated power to 23 dBm as
specified for some channels, 33 dBm as specified for others or some
other value, such as permitting higher power on a control channel?
Likewise, should we continue to specify both output power and radiated
power levels for communication zone/channel combinations? Or would it
be more appropriate to specify only a radiated power limit, as
requested by 5GAA in its comments? Based on how parties envision future
use of the ITS band, are there advantages to continuing to specify both
limits and requiring certain installations to use directional antennas
to reach maximum power?
18. An alternative would be to specify power as a power density to
normalize power for wider bandwidth channels, if we continue to permit
such operations. We seek comment on whether that would serve C-V2X
better than the current method, which associates a lower power density
with wider bandwidth channels. We also seek comment on whether the
current antenna height limitations are justified. Are there reasons to
permit higher antenna heights? Should we continue to require that
licensees reduce their power for higher antenna heights as a way of
controlling coverage area and reducing the potential for interference?
Further, we seek comment on whether we should specify measurement
standards for equipment approval and compliance purposes. For example,
should the Commission specify that these values should be measured as
root mean square (i.e., average) or peak values? And should the
Commission specify the resolution bandwidth settings for compliance
measurements in the rules? Commenters should address these questions in
conjunction with their comments regarding retention or modifications of
the existing communication zones and provide technical information
regarding their preference for rules and how they would work to ensure
maximum access to the band.
19. Finally, we seek comment on whether we should modify the power
rules for C-V2X OBUs. The current rules specify a 1 mW output power
maximum for portable OBUs. As with RSUs, the Commission proposed in the
5.9 GHz NPRM limits compatible with the 3GPP Release 14 standard for C-
V2X vehicular and portable (i.e. on-board) units, which would limit
output power to no more than 20 dBm and EIRP to no more than 23 dBm. We
believe these power levels continue to be appropriate for C-V2X
vehicular and portable devices and propose those levels here. 5GAA,
however, recently requested that the Commission eliminate the output
power requirement and increase the OBU EIRP limit to 33 dBm. Should we
adopt this higher power level instead? What effect would such an
increase have on the ability of C-V2X RSUs to co-exist with and protect
federal radiolocation stations? In commenting on these power levels,
commenters should keep in mind the need to simultaneously ensure that
such portable OBUs comply with the Commission's RF radiation exposure
limits.
20. We also seek comment on how we should handle the standards
issue with respect to C-V2X. The 5.9 GHz NPRM sought comment on
incorporating 3GPP Release 14 by reference in the Commission's rules.
We did not receive significant comment on this issue. Subsequent to the
NPRM, in July 2020, 3GPP announced the completion of Release 16, which
further enhanced the 5G network capabilities, including C-V2X that were
addressed in Release 15.
21. The 3GPP Release 14 standard referenced in this Notice is
formally known as: 3GPP TR 21.914 V14.0.0 (2018-05) 3rd Generation
Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Services and System
Aspects; Release 14 Description; Summary of Rel-14 Work Items (Release
14). Release 14, inter alia, focuses on introducing Vehicle-to-
Everything (V2X) communications, in particular Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V)
communications. The V2X feature encompasses all aspects of the 3GPP
work needed to support vehicle-based communications: Enhancements of
the air interface, protocols, and impacts on the Long Term Evolution
(LTE) core network. Release 14 defines two modes of operation for V2X
communication (V2X communication via direct over-the-air connections
between user equipment and V2X communication over the LTE network
interface), which may be used by user equipment independently for
transmission and reception. Release 14 also defines service
requirements (e.g., message transfer latency) for typical V2X
applications; specifies architecture enhancements for LTE support of
V2X services (e.g., V2X architectures, functional entities involved for
V2X communications, interfaces, provisioned parameters, and
procedures); and specifies security aspects (e.g., security aspects for
LTE-based V2X communication, including security architecture, security
requirements, as well as procedures and solutions to meet those
requirements). Release 14 specifies core network and user equipment
protocol aspects, including protocols for V2X authorization between
user equipment and the V2X Control Function, communication among user
equipment, and communication between the user equipment and the V2X
Application Server over the LTE interface. Release 14 also describes
support for V2V services based on LTE sidelink communications (direct
communication
[[Page 23328]]
between two LTE devices without going through a base station).
22. In light of the evolution of the C-V2X standard to a 5G network
technology, we seek comment on whether our rules should incorporate the
3GPP standard by reference. Commenters in favor of incorporation by
reference should also provide details regarding which version should be
incorporated--Release 14 which is based on LTE technology or Release 16
which incorporates 5G technology. Commenters who advocate for Release
16 should address how vehicular safety applications will be delivered
to all users given that 5G is not backwards compatible with LTE. One
alternative could be to incorporate Release 14 now with a planned
transition to Release 16 (or the current version) at some date certain
in the future. We seek comment on such an option. Alternatively, is
there a compelling argument for not incorporating any C-V2X standard
into the rules? We seek comment on each of these options. Commenters
should address how the option they favor would promote safety services
among all users. Finally, we seek comment on whether we should only
incorporate by reference specific aspects of either the 3GPP Release 14
or Release 16 standard? If so, which sections? Or if the Commission
does not incorporate by reference any 3GPP standard, are there portions
of the standard that need to be placed in our rules? Given our adoption
of C-V2X as the sole technology permitted in the 5.9 GHz ITS band after
the transition, Continental has raised concerns about the resolution of
potential licensing disputes regarding that technology. We also request
comment on this issue.
23. C-V2X OOBE limits. Because the existing rules for DSRC do not
specify OOBE limits necessary to protect adjacent band services from
harmful interference, the Commission sought comment in the 5.9 GHz NPRM
on appropriate OOBE limits for C-V2X devices. Regardless of whether we
incorporate the 3GPP standard or not, we continue to believe it is good
practice to adopt specific OOBE limits into our rules. Doing so would
provide equipment manufacturers with clear guidelines for equipment
approval compliance. Furthermore, it would provide adjacent-channel
licensees and equipment manufacturers with clear guidelines regarding
the expected spectrum environment so they can incorporate appropriate
filters and mitigation measures into their products to protect from
harmful interference from adjacent channel emissions. Because our
previous proposals were consistent with the current 3GPP standard, we
propose the same OOBE limits for C-V2X here as we did in the 5.9 GHz
NPRM. Specifically, we propose that all C-V2X equipment limit OOBE
limits measured at the antenna input (i.e., conducted limits) to: -29
dBm/100 kHz at the band edge; -35 dBm/100 kHz 1 megahertz
from the band edge; -43 dBm/100 kHz 10 megahertz from the
band edge; and -53 dBm 20 megahertz from the band edge. We
also propose to limit out-of-band radiated emissions to -25 dBm/100 kHz
EIRP or less outside the band edges of 5.895 GHz and 5.925 GHz.
24. We seek comment on these OOBE limits and whether they continue
to be appropriate for C-V2X equipment. In this connection, we note that
5GAA recently requested that we adopt more relaxed OOBE requirements.
It specifically requests that RSUs limit OOBE to: -16 dBm/100 kHz
1 megahertz of the band edge; -13 dBm/MHz 5
megahertz of the band edge; -16 dBm/MHz 30 megahertz of
the band edge; and -28 dBm/MHz beyond 30 megahertz from the band edges.
25. Should we adopt these alternative OOBE limits instead? What
would the effect of these relaxed limits be on the ability to design
and manufacture C-V2X equipment? How would they affect equipment cost?
Will these limits ensure compatibility with adjacent U-NII devices in
both the U-NII-4 and U-NII-5 bands, which are below and above the
modified ITS band, respectively? What effect would these limits have on
adjacent band fixed services in the 6 GHz band? We also seek comment on
the measurement standards that should be associated with equipment
approval compliance for verifying that C-V2X equipment meets whatever
OOBE limits we adopt.
26. Other Transition Considerations. In 5.9 GHz NPRM, we requested
comment generally on the various transition-related considerations that
we should take into account if we adopted our proposal to provide only
30 megahertz for ITS. For example, we asked about any re-channelization
of DSRC-based operations in the upper 30 megahertz or the migration of
ITS to C-V2X-based technology in the spectrum that remains reserved for
ITS. To inform our consideration of issues relating to transitioning of
ITS operations, we asked that commenters provide up-to-date information
on actual DSRC operations under existing licenses (including the number
of RSUs and OBUs) and the various uses that have been implemented. The
Commission received several comments that involved some estimation of
the potential cost considerations associated with these transition
issues.
27. We take this opportunity to update the record on our inquiry in
the 5.9 GHz band NPRM regarding transition cost considerations in light
of the 5.9 GHz band plan that we have adopted in the First Report and
Order. We recognize that, in light of our decision, commenters will be
in a much better position to evaluate the necessary transitions of
their respective systems We note that many of the DSRC projects
appeared to be associated with demonstration projects designed to
address particular traffic and safety concerns, and we seek any updates
about DSRC demonstration projects or deployment, as well as any C-V2X
demonstration or pilot projects, including any funding grants that have
been provided or are anticipated. As the U.S. DOT has indicated, ITS
operations to date have received substantial research and deployment
investments, including federal, state, and local investment, over the
years, and we seek comment on the availability of that or similar
funding for transitioning associated with the new band plan for ITS. To
what extent can existing funding at the federal or state or local level
readily be used with regard to the necessary transition costs,
including use of C-V2X-based technology?
28. While we did not propose in the 5.9 GHz NPRM to provide
compensation for such relocation, we nonetheless seek further comment,
including suggestions on which particular types of costs should be
considered as appropriate for possible compensation (including how such
costs would be documented) as well as the process by which such
compensation might be determined or implemented. Finally, we request
comment on any other actions the Commission should consider that would
be helpful to ITS licensees with respect to these transition matters.
29. We seek comment on whether we should limit use of the 5.895-
5.925 GHz band to non-commercial services or safety-of-life
applications. Open Technology Institute at New America and Public
Knowledge previously filed a petition for rulemaking asking the
Commission to prohibit commercial operations in ITS spectrum. Should we
modify our rules to prohibit commercial operations in this spectrum or
otherwise limit services to safety-of-life applications? How would the
Commission define ``safety-of-life'' applications? How would the
Commission delineate between safety-of-life and non-safety-of-life
applications? In such instances, would the Commission need to
specifically list
[[Page 23329]]
permitted applications in its rules or would a general prohibition
suffice? Or, could such a prohibition on commercial operations be
accomplished by limiting license eligibility to only certain licensees,
such as governmental entities or entities eligible for licensing in the
Private Land Mobile Radio Service Public Safety Pool under part 90? At
what point would a use or licensing restriction so alter the current
authorizations so as to constitute a fundamental license change that
would exceed the Commission's authority to effectuate under section 316
of the Communications Act, as amended? We seek comment on the
challenges and benefits associated with adopting restrictions on the
types of ITS services that may operate in the 5.895-5.925 GHz band.
B. More Flexible Use of Unlicensed Service
30. The First Report and Order takes an initial step at providing
unlicensed U-NII device access to the 5.850-5.895 GHz band. Our
decision to generally restrict U-NII devices to indoor locations until
ITS operations transition to the 5.895-5.925 GHz band provides
flexibility for unlicensed devices to begin using the 5.850-5.895 GHz
band, but in a way that avoids the potential for harmful interference
to vehicular safety-related applications. Once ITS operations have
finished transitioning to the upper 30 megahertz, however, we can
permit outdoor operations at full power, subject to such outdoor use
protecting from harmful interference both co-channel federal
radiolocation operations (which will remain in the band) and adjacent-
band ITS operations.
31. Federal Radiolocation System Protection from Outdoor Unlicensed
Operations. In the 5.9 GHz NPRM, we sought comment on whether there are
any mitigation measures, such as technical or operational conditions or
constraints that the Commission should consider for U-NII-4 operations
to protect federal radars in the 5.9 GHz band. Comcast submitted that
the Commission should adopt its proposal to implement the same
technical rules as U-NII-3 with respect to U-NII-4 devices and federal
DoD radar operations. WISPA agreed with the Commission's suggestion
that no other mitigation measures are required to protect DoD radar
operations in the 5.9 GHz band from U-NII-4 devices. NCTA stated that
the Commission should adopt its proposal to authorize U-NII-4 devices
without requiring any special frequency avoidance techniques or similar
constraints since U-NII-3 devices have shared spectrum with co-channel
federal incumbents for years without any specialized frequency
avoidance techniques, and in general sharing has been successful.
32. NTIA reviewed the federal radar operations authorized in the
5.9 GHz band and determined that the number of radar sites needing
protection could be reduced to from 59 to 30 sites. NTIA's analysis
concludes that exclusion zones are needed to protect federal
radiolocation systems only from U-NII-4 outdoor point-to-point (P2P)
and point-to-multipoint (P2MP) devices. The exclusion zones recommended
by NTIA are set forth in Table 2 of its Sept. 8, 2020 letter. To
enforce the exclusion zones, NTIA recommends that interference
mitigation techniques such as geo-fencing be employed to protect
federal radiolocation operations. NTIA emphasizes that it is important
that outdoor U-NII devices are not permitted to operate inside of these
exclusion zones to ensure that federal radiolocation systems are
protected from harmful interference. NTIA also requests that the new
rules make clear that it may authorize additional exclusion zones or
modify the existing exclusion zones listed in Table 2 as necessary to
ensure federal radiolocation stations are protected.
33. We agree that some mitigation measures are needed to ensure
that outdoor U-NII point-to-point and point-to-multipoint operations do
not cause harmful interference to federal radiolocation systems. We
seek comment on whether exclusion zones would be the best method for
ensuring such protection. We note that some commenters express
disagreement with the technical analysis provided by NTIA, including
questioning whether NTIA's interference analysis is consistent with the
assumptions in the 6 GHz Report and Order. We seek comment on NTIA's
technical analysis, as well as comment on any alternate methods for
determining the parameters of exclusion zones. Commenters advocating
opinions that differ from NTIA's analysis should provide specific
technical detail and analysis regarding how unlicensed devices would
provide the required protection to federal radars. Alternatively, are
other protection mechanisms, such as coordination, feasible methods of
protecting federal operations in certain areas? Commenters favoring
coordination or other methods should describe how such methods can be
implemented and maintained such that federal radar operators have
assurances that their installations are and continue to be protected
from harmful interference in the future as more unlicensed devices may
be installed or existing devices may be relocated.
34. Compliance with an exclusion zone implies some degree of
location awareness, either within a device or by an installer. In
crafting rules for outdoor use, we seek to protect important DoD radars
from harmful interference, provide flexibility to U-NII system
operators, minimize equipment complexity and capitalize on the greatest
degree of harmonization with U-NII-3 devices as possible. We seek
comment on how best to adopt rules that satisfy each of these goals to
the greatest extent possible.
35. The Commission has required other unlicensed devices to
incorporate geographic awareness (i.e., a geolocation capability) and
use a database to avoid areas where the potential for causing harmful
interference would exist. For example, white space devices are required
to incorporate a geolocation capability and check a white space
database for a list of available channels before they can operate and 6
GHz standard power U-NII devices are similarly required to incorporate
a geolocation capability and consult an automated frequency
coordination database prior to operating to avoid causing harmful
interference to fixed service incumbents. Should the Commission require
a similar system here? The advantage of using geolocation and a
database is that such systems have already been successfully deployed
and we believe protecting only 30 federal radiolocation sites would be
a relatively simple undertaking under this regime. But incorporating
geolocation capability does increase the complexity of a device and add
overhead (both hardware and software) necessary for such a system to
work. In addition, requiring U-NII-4 devices to operate in this manner
would entail many differences from U-NII-3 device operation and could
limit their usefulness in providing the ability to use a 160-megahertz
wide channel that spans the U-NII-3 and U-NII-4 bands. On the other
hand, we expect many devices to operate throughout all the U-NII bands
including the 6 GHz U-NII-5 and U-NII-7 bands which would already
require this capability. For example, we expect that new devices would
have capability to operate across multiple bands including the 5.150-
5.250 U-NII-1 band, the 5.725-5.850 U-NII-3 band, the 5.850-5.895 GHz
U-NII-4 band, the 5.925-6.425 U-NII-5 band and the 6.525-6.875 U-NII-7
band. In this case, how difficult would it be to similarly add the
geolocation and database capability to U-NII-4 devices? Would there be
any
[[Page 23330]]
incremental cost for incorporating such a requirement? How would such a
requirement affect the utility of U-NII-4 devices and their ability to
work seamlessly with U-NII-3 devices to deliver applications over a
160-megahertz channel? If we were to adopt such a requirement, we
anticipate the rules being consistent with the 6 GHz automatic
frequency coordination rules, except that the exclusion zones are
already known and do not need to be calculated by the automated
frequency coordination system. We seek comment on using the 6 GHz
framework for outdoor U-NII-4 devices.
36. Because the U-NII-4 band exclusion zones are known in advance,
are there simpler methods for ensuring that outdoor U-NII-4 devices
respect the need to avoid operating near the federal radiolocation
systems? For example, could we simply rely on professional installation
to ensure that outdoor U-NII-4 devices do not operate in those areas?
Under a professional installation regime, what rules and requirements
would the Commission need to put in place to ensure that U-NII-4
devices do not operate in any of the exclusion zones? Similarly,
because these exclusion zones are known, could devices simply have a
geolocation capability and either be preloaded with the exclusion zone
coordinates and/or download those coordinates once or on a periodic
basis, such as every time the device is turned on or at some set
interval (e.g., once a week or once a month)? We seek comment on
whether this is a viable alternative to the other suggested methods.
Commenters in favor of such a mitigation method should provide detailed
comment regarding how the internal device database would work, the
necessary update frequency, and the costs involved in developing
equipment. We also seek comment on other alternatives that achieve the
same goal; that is, methods that achieve the required protection and
are easy and cost effective to implement and maximize utility of the U-
NII-4 band.
Outdoor Unlicensed Operations Transmitted Power and Emissions Limits
37. Transmitter Power. In the 5.9 GHz NPRM, the Commission proposed
that U-NII-4 devices be permitted to operate at the same power levels
(e.g., radiated power, power spectral density) as U-NII-3 devices and
sought comment on whether it should adopt different power levels.
38. The Wi-Fi Alliance agrees that the Commission should adopt its
proposal to apply the same power levels (radiated power, PSD) to U-NII-
4 devices as apply to U-NII-3 devices because their efficacy has been
proven by years of application in practice. Wi-Fi Alliance contends
that to recognize the full benefit of the U-NII-4 spectrum, including
expanded operations of existing U-NII devices, the technical rules
governing the band must be aligned with the rules covering the U-NII-3
band; permitting U-NII-4 devices to operate at the same power levels as
U-NII-3 devices will maximize the utility of both bands. It states that
if a different power level is adopted for the U-NII-4 band, U-NII
devices would not be able to operate across both the U-NII-3 and U-NII-
4 bands, eliminating the potential use of wider channels, equipment
commonality, reduced cost and complexity, superior performance, and
other benefits that may be realized by the Commission's proposal. WISPA
states the Commission's proposal to allow U-NII-4 devices to operate at
the same power level as U-NII-3 devices is a sensible and efficient
approach and consistent with WISPA's recommendations in ET Docket No.
13-49 in that it would permit higher-EIRP fixed wireless operations
that will enable use of the 5.9 GHz band for rural broadband
deployment, including both outdoor point-to-point operations and point-
to-multipoint operations. Comcast asserts that harmonizing the U-NII-4
technical rules with those of the U-NII-3 band, particularly the
Commission's proposal to allow U-NII-4 devices to operate at the same
power levels as U-NII-3 devices, would substantially improve its
ability to bring the band into use for consumers quickly and to put it
to its best use. NCTA states that applying the U-NII-3 power limits to
U-NII-4 will enable network operators and device manufacturers to build
on the success of U-NII-3. Microsoft states that extending the U-NII-3
technical rules to the U-NII-4 band, except for the existing OOBE
limits, will enable the public to realize the maximum benefits from the
U-NII-4 band, including accelerating the timeline for initial
deployments using this 45 megahertz of spectrum; establishing the same
power levels in the U-NII-4 band as in the U-NII-3 band is essential
for deployment of larger channels.
39. On the other hand, 5GAA and Qualcomm separately recommend that
the Commission impose a power spectral density limit to protect C-V2X
receivers from portable client devices that may be operating
temporarily outdoors with relaxed OOBE limits but connected to an
indoor access point in the U-NII-4 band, but did not recommend any
specific limit. Car 2 Car and US Technical Advisory Group separately
urge the Commission to revisit its proposals for maximum transmit power
from U-NII-4 devices to avoid harmful interference to ITS operations,
but did not recommend any specific level for the maximum transmit
power. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation expresses concern that
the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration's (NHTSA's)
testing, which showed varying levels of harmful interference,
underestimates the potential for harmful interference from unlicensed
operations, since the NHTSA's tests were conducted with a 36 dBm EIRP,
but fixed point-to-point U-NII devices could operate at power levels of
62 dBm EIRP using 5G antennas that have 32 dBi of gain. Qualcomm also
expresses concern that outdoor point-to-point unlicensed operations
with high EIRP signals in the U-NII-4 band could have serious
performance impacts to installed RSUs and create C-V2X dead zones when
vehicles pass nearby, regardless of the OOBE level. Intelligent
Transportation Society of America (ITSA) also expresses concern that
outdoor unlicensed point-to-point U-NII-4 band operations from a tower
or rooftop alongside a roadway could cause harmful interference to ITS
receivers.
40. For outdoor operation of U-NII-4 access point device after ITS
operations move out of the U-NII-4 band, we propose a radiated power of
23 dBm/MHz or 36 dBm radiated power for all bandwidths. When combined
with U-NII-3-band spectrum, outdoor access point EIRP can scale to 36
dBm for 40, 80, and 160 megahertz channels. We agree with the Wi-Fi
Alliance that permitting U-NII-4 devices to operate at the same power
levels as U-NII-3 devices is essential to achieving the full benefits
of the U-NII-4 band and maximizing the utility of both bands while
protecting incumbent operations in the U-NII-4 band from harmful
interference. Allowing outdoor U-NII-4 devices to operate at the full
power level permitted for U-NII-3 devices will enable the use of wider
channels, promote equipment commonality, reduce costs and complexity,
and facilitate broadband deployments in rural areas, including both
outdoor point-to-point operations and point-to-multipoint operations.
However, to avoid the need for much larger unlicensed exclusion zones
where unlicensed operations would be prohibited in order to protect
federal radar operations from harmful
[[Page 23331]]
interference, we propose not to adopt the U-NII-3 point-to-point power
limits in the U-NII-4 rules. We also propose that client devices be
permitted to operate in the 5.850-5.895 GHz band at power levels that
are 6 dB lower than those permitted for outdoor access point devices.
We seek comment on these proposals.
41. OOBE Limits. In the 5.9 GHz NPRM, the Commission proposed that
U-NII-4 devices, or devices that operate across a single channel that
spans the U-NII-3 and U-NII-4 bands, meet the same OOBE limits as U-
NII-3 devices at the upper and lower edges of those bands with no limit
at the U-NII-3/U-NII-4 band edge. Proponents of ITS suggest that U-NII-
4 devices, or devices that operate across a single channel that spans
the U-NII-3 and U-NII-4 bands, meet OOBE limits that are much more
restrictive than the existing U-NII-3 OOBE limits to protect adjacent-
band ITS operations. Under GM's suggestion (-27 dBm/MHz at or above
5.905 GHz), U-NII-4 devices' OOBE would need to be 15 dB lower than the
OOBE limit (-12 dBm/MHz) for a U-NII-3 device at the same frequency;
under the suggestion from Car 2 Car, IEEE 1609 Working Group, US
Technical Advisory Group, and Volkswagen (-40 dBm/MHz at 10 megahertz
above the band edge), U-NII-4 devices' OOBE would need to be
approximately 28 dB lower than the OOBE limit (-12 dBm/MHz) for a U-
NII-3 device at the same frequency.
42. Proponents of unlicensed operations suggest more relaxed OOBE
limits for outdoor unlicensed operations in the U-NII-4 band than
proposed in the 5.9 GHz NPRM. WISPA submits that outdoor U-NII-4
operations' OOBE be limited to -5 dBm/MHz at or above 5.895 GHz.
Broadcom, CableLabs, Facebook, and NCTA together suggest that OOBE for
outdoor U-NII-4 operations be limited to 7 dBm/MHz at 5.895 GHz,
decreasing linearly to -9 dBm/MHz at 5.925 GHz, measured using the root
mean square (RMS) method (agreed to by 5GAA for the top of the 5.9 GHz
band), to address concerns raised by ITS stakeholders. They claim that
-9 dBm at 5.925 GHz will provide more than adequate protection for
adjacent ITS operations and is consistent with the roll-off of the IEEE
802.11ac and 802.11ax emissions masks. They also assert that this limit
would allow 5.9 GHz-capable Wi-Fi devices to deliver sufficient power
and throughput to consumers to enable the wide range of use cases--
including enhanced in-home Wi-Fi speeds and coverage to support remote
learning, telemedicine, and other high-bandwidth applications, as well
as more accessible large-scale connectivity to support smart city and
agricultural applications in communities across the country--that make
the 5.9 GHz band a unique opportunity; too restrictive an OOBE limit
would make these kinds of use cases impossible.
43. The Wi-Fi Alliance recommends a more nuanced approach based on
a the -27 dBm/MHz limit at or above 5.925 GHz that the Commission has
effectively applied to U-NII-3 transmissions to protect ITS operations.
Specifically, for outdoor U-NII-4 band devices, Wi-Fi Alliance proposes
OOBE limits that mirror the existing limits for U-NII-3 devices at and
above 5.895 GHz (i.e., -5 dBm/MHz at 5.895 GHz, decreasing linearly to
-27 dBm/MHz at 5.925 GHz). The Wi-Fi Alliance asserts that these U-NII-
3 OOBE limits have proven to be effective in protecting ITS; there is
no basis for imposing more stringent OOBE limits on operations in the
U-NII-4 band since the Commission has already affirmed that the U-NII-3
OOBE limits afford sufficient protection to DSRC systems and C-V2X
operations do not require greater protection than DSRC operations. The
Wi-Fi Alliance argues that the Commission should reject arguments for
more restrictive OOBE limits because imposing prohibitively burdensome
and unnecessary band coexistence measures on U-NII-4 devices would
preclude commercial viability of this band and defeat the objective of
making additional spectrum available for unlicensed operations. The Wi-
Fi Alliance also supports applying the existing U-NII-3 OOBE limits at
the lower edge of the U-NII-3 band for outdoor U-NII-4 devices, or
devices that operate across a single channel that spans the U-NII-3 and
U-NII-4 bands, i.e., at 5.725 GHz, while not imposing any OOBE limit
for U-NII-4 devices at the U-NII-3/U-NII-4 band edge (i.e., at 5.850
GHz).
44. For outdoor U-NII-4 access point devices or outdoor access
point devices that operate across a single channel that spans the U-
NII-3 and U-NII-4 bands, we propose the outdoor U-NII-4 OOBE limits
recommended by the Wi-Fi Alliance of -5 dBm/MHz at 5.895 GHz,
decreasing linearly to -27 dBm/MHz at 5.925 GHz, measured using an RMS
measurement. We are not convinced that the more relaxed OOBE limits
suggested by unlicensed proponents would adequately protect ITS
operations from harmful interference since they are less restrictive
than existing U-NII-3 OOBE limits. We are also not convinced that the
more stringent OOBE limits suggested by ITS proponents are necessary to
protect adjacent-band ITS operations since they are more restrictive
than the existing U-NII-3 OOBE limits, which the Commission previously
affirmed would protect DSRC operations and have already proven to be
effective in protecting ITS operations from harmful interference. We
also propose to apply the existing U-NII-3 OOBE limits at the lower
edge of the U-NII-3 band for outdoor U-NII-4 devices, or devices that
operate across a single channel that spans the U-NII-3 and U-NII-4
bands, i.e., at 5.725 GHz, while not imposing any OOBE limits for U-
NII-4 devices at the U-NII-3/U-NII-4 band edge, i.e., at 5.850 GHz. We
believe that these limits will protect adjacent-band ITS operations
from harmful interference due to unlicensed operations in the U-NII-4
band, support separate U-NII-3 and U-NII-4 bands to provide flexibility
for designing U-NII-3 equipment under the less stringent OOBE rules at
the upper edge of the band, and provide flexibility for devices to
operate across the U-NII-3 and U-NII-4 bands using the widest channel
bandwidths permitted under the IEEE 802.11 standard. We seek comment on
these proposals.
45. Protection of Fixed-Satellite Service Operations. In the First
Report and Order in this proceeding, we declined to adopt SES
Americom's and Intelsat's suggestion to establish a maximum permissible
aggregate power limit for U-NII-4 band unlicensed devices' operations
that would be monitored and controlled by an Automatic Frequency
Coordination (AFC) system to help protect FSS operations. However, as a
precautionary measure to further protect FSS operations from harmful
interference, we propose to require U-NII-4 band outdoor access points
to limit the maximum EIRP above a 30 degree elevation angle to 21 dBm,
which is similar to what the Commission already requires in the U-NII-
1, U-NII-5, and U-NII-7 bands to protect FSS operations. This skyward
restriction should address SES Americom's and Intelsat's concerns about
potential aggregate interference from U-NII-4 band unlicensed
operations. Since we do not expect outdoor access points to radiate
significant power skyward, we do not believe this requirement will
impose a burden on or affect the utility of outdoor access point users.
46. We do not find it necessary to propose to restrict the power
radiated upward from U-NII-4 client devices as we propose to require
for outdoor access points. We believe it is unlikely that relatively
low-power unlicensed devices
[[Page 23332]]
will cause harmful interference to receivers on geostationary
satellites approximately 35,800 km above the equator and seek comment.
We propose to limit upward power from outdoor U-NII-4 access points
merely as a precautionary measure, as they are more likely to operate
with higher power. While client devices can operate with an EIRP as
high as 30 dBm (6 dB lower than access points' maximum allowed power),
we find that they are less likely to cause interference to satellite
receivers than similarly powered outdoor access points due to the
nature of their operation. We expect them to generally operate at much
lower power levels to maximize battery life and comply with
radiofrequency (RF) exposure limits. In addition, client devices
communicate with access points in an asymmetric nature, in that
relatively little data is transmitted in the uplink direction (i.e.
from the client device) as compared to the downlink direction where any
single access point may be serving many client devices. Moreover,
client devices typically operate with omnidirectional antennas at low
antenna heights and in a mobile or portable mode (i.e., not installed
in permanent outdoor locations). Thus, we expect that upwardly directed
client device emissions will often be at low power levels and shielded
to some extent by buildings, foliage, or other obstructions. We seek
comment on these proposals and conclusions.
47. Increased Transmit Power for Indoor U-NII-4 Access Points. In
the First Report and Order, we adopt a 20 dBm/MHz limit for indoor U-
NII-4 access points, largely to protect co-channel ITS incumbent
operations. We propose that indoor U-NII-4 devices be permitted to
increase power to 23 dBm/MHz or 36 dBm radiated power for all
bandwidths upon the later of one year following the effective date of
the First Report and Order (i.e., the date by when ITS operations must
transition out of the 5.850-5.895 GHz band) or the effective date of a
Second Report and Order adopting these proposed power increases. We
seek comment on this proposal. We note that these proposed limits are
consistent with NTIA's radiolocation protection analysis. In making
this proposal, we do not propose to change any other aspect of indoor
U-NII-4 devices; they would still be required to incorporate all the
mitigation features we adopted in the First Report and Order, including
the requirement to obtain power from a wired connection, a prohibition
on weatherized enclosures and a requirement for an integrated antenna.
Client devices would be limited to power levels 6 dB below the power
limits for access points.
48. U-NII-4 Client to Client Communications. The rules adopted in
the First Report and Order prohibit U-NII-4 client-to-client
communications to protect co-channel incumbent ITS operations and
federal radiolocation stations. But only the federal radiolocation
stations will require protection after ITS operations transition out of
the 5.850-5.895 GHz band. We seek comment on whether we can remove the
client-to-client communications prohibition upon the later of one year
following the effective date of the First Report and Order (i.e., the
date by when ITS operations must transition out of the 5.850-5.895 GHz
band) or the effective date of a Second Report and Order eliminating
the prohibition. As an initial matter, we note that NTIA's analysis for
protecting these 30 radiolocation sites concludes that C-V2X OBUs can
operate throughout the U.S. with no limitation. That analysis assumed
that such OBUs operate with power levels up to 17 dBm/20 MHz or 50 mW.
The equivalent power for wider channels is 20 dBm/40 MHz (100 mW), 23
dBm/80 MHz (200 mW) and 26 dBm/160 MHz (400 mW). Our proposal for C-V2X
OBUs would limit power to no more than 23 dBm EIRP. We therefore seek
comment on whether we can allow U-NII-4 client-to-client device
communications at that same 23 dBm EIRP power level. Such
communications could enable innovative new virtual reality or augmented
reality applications in much the way similar applications have been
envisioned under the Commission's proposals for ubiquitous operation of
very low power devices in the 6 GHz U-NII bands.
49. Although U-NII-4 devices would not necessarily be in moving
vehicles like C-V2X OBUs, would their operations still be functionally
similar to such operations so as to allow the same power levels and
still protect federal radiolocation operations? If concerns regarding
potential harmful interference to federal operations persists, are
there measures we could take to enable U-NII-4 client-to-client
communications in areas outside the exclusion zones or with lower power
within the exclusion zones? For example, because client devices are
often smart phones with embedded geolocation technology, could an app
or database connection or other mitigation method be used to control
power or avoid certain areas where the potential for causing harmful
interference is the greatest? We also note that 5GAA requests that we
permit OBUs to transmit with as much at 33 dBm EIRP. How would OBUs at
higher power levels affect the ability to permit client-to-client
communications? 5GAA also states that U-NII-4 client-to-client
operations could reduce the effectiveness of adjacent band C-V2X safety
services. We seek comment on whether we can permit client-to-client
communication and under what conditions. Commenters should provide
technical and operations details as to how devices operating in a
client to client mode would avoid causing harmful interference to co-
channel federal radiolocation operations as well as to adjacent band C-
V2X safety services.
C. Other Spectrum for ITS
50. As discussed in the First Report and Order, the record supports
30 megahertz of spectrum as sufficient to provide basic safety
functions of ITS currently deployed and under consideration in the near
future. Commenters have suggested, however, that additional spectrum
may be needed either to support simultaneous deployment of 4G and 5G-NR
C-V2X service or to support other advanced capabilities beyond the
basic safety messages currently available.
51. We seek comment on whether, notwithstanding our determination
that current safety-of-life services can continue to operate using 30
megahertz of spectrum, we should consider allocating additional
spectrum for ITS applications. For what purposes would additional
spectrum be needed? We note that the record evidence indicates that
several categories of transportation-related communications and other
ITS applications are currently being met through spectrum outside of
the 5.9 GHz band. For example, capabilities like blind spot detection,
lane-keep assist, and features that do not operate in the 5.9 GHz band,
which provide substantial automotive and vehicular safety functions.
Panasonic in its comments states that technologies like LiDAR, 76-81
GHz band radar, or other line-of-sight sensors can support advance
driver assistance systems (e.g. automatic emergency braking or lane-
keeping). To the extent some ITS applications (or their functional
equivalent) are currently being provided using alternative spectrum
bands, commenters should explain with specificity why existing spectrum
resources are inadequate and what specific safety benefits would result
from making additional spectrum available for such services.
[[Page 23333]]
52. Panasonic suggests that harnessing the advantages of fully
automated transportation requires cooperation between different
vehicles with different levels of automation and the transportation
infrastructure. Similarly, the U.S. DOT stated that in-vehicle sensors
are susceptible to ``blind spots'' when they are operating outside of
line-of-sight scenarios. U.S. DOT claims that the combination of
sensors and V2X, with access to dedicated spectrum, will best provide
enhancements to driver safety and will support automated driving
behavior in the future.
53. We have already recognized that C-V2X is the preferred choice
for deployment in the upper 30 megahertz portion of the band. How, in
particular, would additional spectrum be used to leverage this
technology and aid in its deployment? Should we determine that
additional spectrum is needed to provide advanced ITS applications,
what spectrum band(s) should we consider? Open Technology Institute and
Public Knowledge have mentioned the 3450-3550 MHz band. Other
commenters, like Dynamic Spectrum Alliance and NCTA, proposed allowing
C-V2X to operate in the 4.9 GHz band. Other commenters provided similar
views. In the intervening period since adoption of the 5.9 GHz NPRM,
however, the Commission has adopted rule changes for the 4.9 GHz band
to allow for non-public safety operation and leasing arrangements and
has proposed allocating the 3.45-3.55 GHz band for flexible-use
service. We also note that that commenters have mentioned a ``clean
sheet'' approach when considering the best spectrum band in which to
locate the proposed C-V2X operations. Others mention allowing ITS to
use flexible use licensed or unlicensed spectrum in the way other
technologies do. Commenters addressing this issue should provide
specific information regarding spectrum bands that could support ITS
operations, the types of applications or services they envision for
that particular band and how C-V2X could coexist with existing spectrum
users in that band(s). We also note that the commenters should consider
the propagation characteristics of the spectrum they identify relative
to the technology needs of ITS services (e.g. low latency, reliability,
non-line of sight communications, processing capabilities,
international trends, and relevant standards-setting factors). Are
there other rule changes we could make to enable vehicular safety-
related applications in other bands on a shared basis?
III. Incorporation by Reference
54. Sections 90.375, 90.379, and 95.3189 of the proposed rules
provide that C-V2X Roadside Units (RSUs) and C-V2X On-Board Unit (OBU)
transmitter types operating in the 5895-5925 MHz band must comply with
the technical standard 3rd Generation Partnership Project Technical
Specification Group Services and System Aspects (3GPP) Release 14. The
OFR has regulations concerning incorporation by reference. 1 CFR part
51. These regulations require that, for a proposed rule, agencies must
discuss in the preamble to the proposed rule the way in which materials
that the agency incorporates by reference are reasonably available to
interested parties, and how interested parties can obtain the
materials. Additionally, the preamble to the proposed rule must
summarize the material. 1 CFR 51.5(a).
55. In accordance with the OFR's requirements, the discussion in
section II.A. of this preamble summarizes the provisions of 3GPP
Release 14. Interested persons may obtain a copy of 3GPP Release 14
through 3GPP's website at the address provided in Sec. Sec. 90.395 and
95.3189 the rule. A copy of the standard may also be inspected at the
FCC's main office.
IV. Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
56. As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, as
amended (RFA), the Commission has prepared this present Initial
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) of the possible significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities by the
policies and rules proposed in this Further Notice. Written public
comments are requested on this IRFA. Comments must be identified as
responses to the IRFA and must be filed by the deadlines for comments
on the Further Notice provided in the item.
A. Need for, and Objectives of, the Proposed Rules
57. In this Further Notice, we propose to resolve the timing,
procedures, and technical parameters associated with the transition of
the updated 5.9 GHz band plan. Specifically, the Further Notice
proposes to allow full-power outdoor unlicensed operations across the
5.850-5.895 GHz band once ITS operations have exited this portion of
the band and subject to any further necessary protections for federal
operations in this spectrum. The draft also seeks to establish power
and emissions limits and other rules related to outdoor unlicensed
operations in the lower 45 megahertz of the band. The draft would
address transitioning all ITS operations in the revised ITS band at
5.895-5.925 GHz to C-V2X-based technology, including the appropriate
timeline for implementation, and the codification of C-V2X technical
parameters for operation in the 5.895-5.925 GHz band. The Further
Notice would also seek comment on whether the Commission should
consider allocating additional spectrum for ITS applications in the
future.
B. Legal Basis
58. The proposed action is taken authority found in sections 1,
4(i), 301, 302, 303, 309, 316, and 332 of the Communications Act of
1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 301, 302, 303, 309, 316, and
332, and section 1.411 of the Commission's Rules, 47 CFR 1.411.
C. Description and Estimate of the Number of Small Entities to Which
the Proposed Rules Will Apply
59. The RFA directs agencies to provide a description of, and where
feasible, an estimate of the number of small entities that may be
affected by the proposed rules, if adopted. The RFA generally defines
the term ``small entity'' as having the same meaning as the terms
``small business,'' ``small organization,'' and ``small governmental
jurisdiction.'' In addition, the term ``small business'' has the same
meaning as the term ``small business concern'' under the Small Business
Act. A ``small business concern'' is one which: (1) Is independently
owned and operated; (2) is not dominant in its field of operation; and
(3) satisfies any additional criteria established by the Small Business
Administration (SBA).
60. Small Businesses, Small Organizations, Small Governmental
Jurisdictions. Our actions, over time, may affect small entities that
are not easily categorized at present. We therefore describe here, at
the outset, three broad groups of small entities that could be directly
affected herein. First, while there are industry specific size
standards for small businesses that are used in the regulatory
flexibility analysis, according to data from the Small Business
Administration's (SBA) Office of Advocacy, in general a small business
is an independent business having fewer than 500 employees. These types
of small businesses represent 99.9% of all businesses in the United
States, which translates to 30.7 million businesses.
61. Next, the type of small entity described as a ``small
organization'' is generally ``any not-for-profit enterprise
[[Page 23334]]
which is independently owned and operated and is not dominant in its
field.'' The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) uses a revenue benchmark of
$50,000 or less to delineate its annual electronic filing requirements
for small exempt organizations. Nationwide, for tax year 2018, there
were approximately 571,709 small exempt organizations in the U.S.
reporting revenues of $50,000 or less according to the registration and
tax data for exempt organizations available from the IRS.
62. Finally, the small entity described as a ``small governmental
jurisdiction'' is defined generally as ``governments of cities,
counties, towns, townships, villages, school districts, or special
districts, with a population of less than fifty thousand.'' U.S. Census
Bureau data from the 2017 Census of Governments indicate that there
were 90,075 local governmental jurisdictions consisting of general
purpose governments and special purpose governments in the United
States. While the special purpose governments category also includes
local special district governments, the 2017 Census of Governments data
does not provide data aggregated based on population size for the
special purpose governments category. Therefore, only data from
independent school districts is included in the special purpose
governments category. Of the 90,075 local governmental jurisdictions,
there were 36,931 general purpose governments (county, municipal and
town or township) with populations of less than 50,000, and 12,040
special purpose governments--independent school districts with
enrollment populations of less than 50,000. Accordingly, based on the
2017 U.S. Census of Governments data, we estimate that at least 48,971
entities fall into the category of ``small governmental
jurisdictions.''
63. Radio Frequency Equipment Manufacturers (RF Manufacturers).
Neither the Commission nor the SBA has developed a small business size
standard applicable to Radio Frequency Equipment Manufacturers (RF
Manufacturers). There are several analogous SBA small entity categories
applicable to RF Manufacturers--Fixed Microwave Services, Other
Communications Equipment Manufacturing, and Radio and Television
Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing. A
description of these small entity categories and the small business
size standards under the SBA rules are detailed below.
64. Fixed Microwave Services. Microwave services include common
carrier, private-operational fixed, and broadcast auxiliary radio
services. They also include the Upper Microwave Flexible Use Service,
Millimeter Wave Service, Local Multipoint Distribution Service (LMDS),
the Digital Electronic Message Service (DEMS), and the 24 GHz Service,
where licensees can choose between common carrier and non-common
carrier status. A review of the Commission's Universal Licensing System
in 2015, found approximately 66,680 common carrier fixed licensees,
69,360 private and public safety operational-fixed licensees, 20,150
broadcast auxiliary radio licensees, 411 LMDS licenses, 33 24 GHz DEMS
licenses, 777 39 GHz licenses, and five 24 GHz licenses, and 467
Millimeter Wave licenses in the microwave services. The Commission has
not yet defined a small business with respect to microwave services.
The closest applicable SBA category is Wireless Telecommunications
Carriers (except Satellite) and the appropriate size standard for this
category under SBA rules is that such a business is small if it has
1,500 or fewer employees. For this industry, U.S. Census Bureau data
for 2012 show that there were 967 firms that operated for the entire
year. Of this total, 955 firms had employment of 999 or fewer employees
and 12 had employment of 1000 employees or more. Thus under this SBA
category and the associated size standard, the Commission estimates
that a majority of fixed microwave service licensees can be considered
small.
65. The Commission does not have data specifying the number of
these licensees that have more than 1,500 employees, and thus is unable
at this time to estimate with greater precision the number of fixed
microwave service licensees that would qualify as small business
concerns under the SBA's small business size standard. Consequently,
the Commission estimates that there are up to 36,708 common carrier
fixed licensees and up to 59,291 private operational-fixed licensees
and broadcast auxiliary radio licensees in the microwave services that
may be small and may be affected by the rules and policies discussed
herein. We note, however, that the microwave fixed licensee category
includes some large entities.
66. Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing. This industry
comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing
communications equipment (except telephone apparatus, and radio and
television broadcast, and wireless communications equipment). Examples
of such manufacturing include fire detection and alarm systems
manufacturing, Intercom systems and equipment manufacturing, and
signals (e.g., highway, pedestrian, railway, traffic) manufacturing.
The SBA has established a size standard for this industry as all such
firms having 750 or fewer employees. U.S. Census Bureau data for 2012
show that 383 establishments operated in that year. Of that number, 379
operated with fewer than 500 employees and 4 had 500 to 999 employees.
Based on this data, we conclude that the majority of Other
Communications Equipment Manufacturers are small.
67. Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications
Equipment Manufacturing. This industry comprises establishments
primarily engaged in manufacturing radio and television broadcast and
wireless communications equipment. Examples of products made by these
establishments are: transmitting and receiving antennas, cable
television equipment, GPS equipment, pagers, cellular phones, mobile
communications equipment, and radio and television studio and
broadcasting equipment. The SBA has established a size standard for
this industry of 1,250 employees or less. U.S. Census Bureau data for
2012 show that 841 establishments operated in this industry in that
year. Of that number, 828 establishments operated with fewer than 1,000
employees, 7 establishments operated with between 1,000 and 2,499
employees and 6 establishments operated with 2,500 or more employees.
Based on this data, we conclude that a majority of manufacturers in
this industry are small.
68. Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite). This
industry comprises establishments engaged in operating and maintaining
switching and transmission facilities to provide communications via the
airwaves. Establishments in this industry have spectrum licenses and
provide services using that spectrum, such as cellular services, paging
services, wireless internet access, and wireless video services. The
appropriate size standard under SBA rules is that such a business is
small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees. For this industry, U.S.
Census Bureau data for 2012 show that there were 967 firms that
operated for the entire year. Of this total, 955 firms employed fewer
than 1,000 employees and 12 firms employed of 1,000 employees or more.
Thus under this category and the associated size standard, the
Commission estimates that the majority of Wireless Telecommunications
Carriers (except Satellite) are small entities.
[[Page 23335]]
69. Automobile Manufacturing. This U.S. industry comprises
establishments primarily engaged in (1) manufacturing complete
automobiles (i.e., body and chassis or unibody) or (2) manufacturing
automobile chassis only. The SBA has established a size standard for
this industry, which is 1,500 employees or less. 2012 U.S. Census
Bureau data indicate that 185 establishments operated in this industry
that year. Of this number, 162 establishments had employment of fewer
than 1,000 employees, and 11 establishments had employment of 1,000 to
2,499 employees. Therefore, the Commission estimates that the majority
of manufacturers in this industry are small entities.
70. Internet Service Providers (Non-Broadband). Internet access
service providers such as Dial-up internet service providers, VoIP
service providers using client-supplied telecommunications connections
and internet service providers using client-supplied telecommunications
connections (e.g., dial-up ISPs) fall in the category of All Other
Telecommunications. The SBA has developed a small business size
standard for All Other Telecommunications which consists of all such
firms with gross annual receipts of $35 million or less. For this
category, U.S. Census Bureau data for 2012 show that there were 1,442
firms that operated for the entire year. Of these firms, a total of
1,400 had gross annual receipts of less than $25 million. Consequently,
under this size standard a majority of firms in this industry can be
considered small.
71. Internet Service Providers (Broadband). Broadband internet
service providers include wired (e.g., cable, DSL) and VoIP service
providers using their own operated wired telecommunications
infrastructure fall in the category of Wired Telecommunication
Carriers. Wired Telecommunications Carriers are comprised of
establishments primarily engaged in operating and/or providing access
to transmission facilities and infrastructure that they own and/or
lease for the transmission of voice, data, text, sound, and video using
wired telecommunications networks. Transmission facilities may be based
on a single technology or a combination of technologies. The SBA size
standard for this category classifies a business as small if it has
1,500 or fewer employees. U.S. Census Bureau data for 2012 show that
there were 3,117 firms that operated that year. Of this total, 3,083
operated with fewer than 1,000 employees. Consequently, under this size
standard the majority of firms in this industry can be considered
small.
72. Cable System Operators (Telecom Act Standard). The
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, also contains a size standard
for small cable system operators, which is ``a cable operator that,
directly or through an affiliate, serves in the aggregate fewer than
one percent of all subscribers in the United States and is not
affiliated with any entity or entities whose gross annual revenues in
the aggregate exceed $250,000,000.'' As of 2019, there were
approximately 48,646,056 basic cable video subscribers in the United
States. Accordingly, an operator serving fewer than 486,460 subscribers
shall be deemed a small operator if its annual revenues, when combined
with the total annual revenues of all its affiliates, do not exceed
$250 million in the aggregate. Based on available data, we find that
all but five cable operators are small entities under this size
standard. We note that the Commission neither requests nor collects
information on whether cable system operators are affiliated with
entities whose gross annual revenues exceed $250 million. Therefore, we
are unable at this time to estimate with greater precision the number
of cable system operators that would qualify as small cable operators
under the definition in the Communications Act.
73. Intelligent Transportation System (ITS). The Commission's own
data--available in its Universal Licensing System--indicate that, as of
October 26, 2020, there are 124 active ITS licenses in the Commission's
database that will be affected by our actions. An authorization to
operate in the ITS service may be obtained by any territory,
possession, state, city, county, town, or similar governmental entity,
and any public safety or industrial/business entity meeting the
pertinent eligibility requirements. Prior to operation, applicants are
issued a non-exclusive, geographic area license: governmental entities
are authorized based on that entity's legal jurisdictional area of
operations; and non-governmental entities are licensed based on each
applicant's area of operation (i.e., by county, state, multi-state, or
nationwide). 91 licensees are considered ``public safety eligible''
with the remaining 33 qualified under the Industrial/Business Pool
requirements. The Commission does not know how many of these licensees
are small, as the Commission does not collect that information for
these types of entities.
D. Description of Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping, and Other
Compliance Requirements for Small Entities
74. The Further Notice proposes rules that will affect reporting
and other compliance requirements.
75. The Further Notice proposes to resolve the timing, procedures,
and technical parameters associated with the transition of the updated
5.9 GHz band plan. Specifically, the Further Notice proposes to allow
full-power outdoor unlicensed operations across the 5.850-5.895 GHz
band once ITS operations have exited this portion of the band and
subject to any further necessary protections for federal operations in
this spectrum. The Further Notice also seeks to establish power and
emissions limits and other rules related to outdoor unlicensed
operations in the lower 45 megahertz of the band. The Further Notice
addresses transitioning all ITS operations in the revised ITS band at
5.895-5.925 GHz to C-V2X-based technology, including the appropriate
timeline for implementation, and the codification of C-V2X technical
parameters for operation in the 5.895-5.925 GHz band. The Further
Notice also seeks comment on whether the Commission should consider
allocating additional spectrum for ITS applications in the future.
76. This transition will require the Commission, licensees, and
manufacturers to take certain actions, such as designing and operating
unlicensed devices and C-V2X equipment per the Commission's revised
rules.
E. Steps Taken To Minimize the Significant Economic Impact on Small
Entities, and Significant Alternatives Considered
77. The RFA requires an agency to describe any significant
alternatives that it has considered in reaching its proposed approach,
which may include the following four alternatives (among others): (1)
The establishment of differing compliance or reporting requirements or
timetables that take into account the resources available to small
entities; (2) the clarification, consolidation, or simplification of
compliance or reporting requirements under the rule for small entities;
(3) the use of performance, rather than design, standards; and (4) an
exemption from coverage of the rule, or any part thereof, for small
entities.
78. The proposals that would require equipment modification or new
equipment manufacturing would have an impact on equipment
manufacturers, some of which may be small entities.
[[Page 23336]]
Though we believe that our proposed technical rules for U-NII devices
and ITS equipment would provide appropriate rules for this band, we
seek comment on alternatives that are based on the existing rules or
some other regulatory scheme, with regard to, e.g., power limits and
OOBE limits.
79. The regulatory burdens we have proposed are necessary in order
to ensure that the public receives the benefits of innovative services
and technologies in a prompt and efficient manner and apply equally to
large and small entities, thus without differential impact. We seek
comment on any alternatives, and whether the pros and cons of leaving
these choices to the industry will assist in reaching the best
outcomes. We will continue to examine alternatives in the future with
the objectives of eliminating unnecessary regulations and minimizing
any significant impact on small entities.
F. Federal Rules That May Duplicate, Overlap, or Conflict With the
Proposed Rules
80. None.
List of Subjects
Communications equipment, Incorporation by reference, Radio.
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary.
Proposed Rules
For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Federal
Communications Commission proposes to amend 47 CFR parts 15, 90, and 95
as follows:
PART 15--RADIO FREQUENCY DEVICES
0
1. The authority citation for part 15 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 302a, 303, 304, 307, 336, 544a, and
549.
0
2. Amend Sec. 15.407 by revising paragraphs (a)(3) and (b)(5) to read
as follows:
Sec. 15.407 General technical requirements.
* * * * *
(a) * * *
(3) For the band 5.725-5.895 GHz:
(i) For the band 5.725-5.850 GHz, the maximum conducted output
power over the frequency band of operation shall not exceed 1 W. In
addition, the maximum power spectral density shall not exceed 30 dBm in
any 500-kHz band. If transmitting antennas of directional gain greater
than 6 dBi are used, both the maximum conducted output power and the
maximum power spectral density shall be reduced by the amount in dB
that the directional gain of the antenna exceeds 6 dBi. However, fixed
point-to-point U-NII devices operating in this band may employ
transmitting antennas with directional gain greater than 6 dBi without
any corresponding reduction in transmitter conducted power. Fixed,
point-to-point operations exclude the use of point-to-multipoint
systems, omnidirectional applications, and multiple collocated
transmitters transmitting the same information. The operator of the U-
NII device, or if the equipment is professionally installed, the
installer, is responsible for ensuring that systems employing high gain
directional antennas are used exclusively for fixed, point-to-point
operations.
(ii) For an indoor access point operating in the 5.850-5.895 GHz
band, the maximum power spectral density must not exceed 23 dBm
e.i.r.p. in any 1-megahertz band. In addition, the maximum e.i.r.p.
over the frequency band of operation must not exceed 36 dBm. Indoor
access points operating on a channel that spans the 5.725-5.850 GHz and
5.850-5.895 GHz bands must not exceed an e.i.r.p. of 36 dBm.
(iii) For client devices operating under the control of an indoor
access point in the 5.850-5.895 GHz band, the maximum power spectral
density must not exceed 17 dBm e.i.r.p. in any 1-megahertz band, and
the maximum e.i.r.p. over the frequency band of operation must not
exceed 30 dBm. Client devices operating on a channel that spans the
5.725-5.850 GHz and 5.850-5.895 GHz bands must not exceed an e.i.r.p.
of 30 dBm.
(iv) For a subordinate device operating under the control of an
indoor access point in the 5.850-5.895 GHz band, the maximum power
spectral density must not exceed 23 dBm e.i.r.p in any 1-megahertz
band, and the maximum e.i.r.p. over the frequency band of operation
must not exceed 36 dBm.
(v) For an outdoor access point operating in the 5.850-5.895 GHz
band, the maximum power spectral density must not exceed 23 dBm
e.i.r.p. in any 1-megahertz band. In addition, the maximum e.i.r.p.
over the frequency band of operation must not exceed 36 dBm. Outdoor
access points must limit their maximum e.i.r.p. at any elevation angle
above 30 degrees as measured from the horizon to 21 dBm (125 mW) to
protect fixed satellite services. Outdoor access points operating on a
channel that spans the 5.725-5.850 GHz and 5.850-5.895 GHz bands must
not exceed an e.i.r.p. of 36 dBm.
(vi) In the 5.850-5.895 GHz band, client devices must operate under
the control of an indoor access point. In all cases, an exception
exists for transmitting brief messages to an access point when
attempting to join its network after detecting a signal that confirms
that an access point is operating on a particular channel. Access
points may connect to other access points.
(vii) For client devices operating under the control of an outdoor
access point in the 5.850-5.895 GHz band, the maximum power spectral
density e.i.r.p. must not exceed 17 dBm in any 1-megahertz band, and
the maximum e.i.r.p. over the frequency band of operation must not
exceed 30 dBm. Client devices operating on a channel that spans the
5.725-5.850 GHz and 5.850-5.895 GHz bands must not exceed an e.i.r.p.
of 30 dBm.
(viii) Operation of outdoor U-NII devices in the 5.850-5.895 GHz
band within the exclusion zones listed in the table below, to which
NTIA may amend, modify, or revoke locations and associated parameters,
is not permitted. The outdoor U-NII exclusion zones for each federal
facility location are characterized by a center point (latitude/
longitude) and radius (to define a circular area) to facilitate the
regulator process of coordination.
Table 1 to Paragraph (a)(3)--Exclusion Zones
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exclusion
Facility name Latitude DD- Longitude DD- zone radius
MM-SS North MM-SS West (km)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anclote, Florida................................................ 28-11-18 82-47-40 54
Cape Canaveral, Florida......................................... 28-28-54 80-34-35 53
Cape San Blas, Florida.......................................... 29-40-31 85-20-48 55
Carabelle Field, Florida........................................ 29-50-38 84-39-46 54
Charleston, South Carolina...................................... 32-51-48 79-57-48 55
[[Page 23337]]
Edwards, California............................................. 34-56-43 117-54-50 51
Eglin, Florida.................................................. 30-37-51 86-24-16 116
Fort Walton Beach, Florida...................................... 30-24-53 86-39-58 56
Kennedy Space Center, Florida................................... 28-25-29 80-39-51 98
Key West, Florida............................................... 24-33-09 81-48-28 54
Kirtland AFB, New Mexico........................................ 34-59-51 106-28-54 15
Kokeepark, Hawaii............................................... 22-07-35 159-40-06 49
MacDill, Florida................................................ 27-50-37 82-30-04 58
NV Test Training Range, Nevada.................................. 37-18-27 116-10-24 184
Patuxent River, Maryland........................................ 38-16-55 76-25-12 7
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii............................................ 21-21-17 157-57-51 55
Pillar Point, California........................................ 37-29-52 122-29-59 10
Poker Flat, Alaska.............................................. 65-07-36 147-29-21 58
Port Canaveral, Florida......................................... 28-24-42 80-36-17 54
Port Hueneme, California........................................ 34-08-60 119-12-24 54
Point Mugu, California.......................................... 34-07-17 119-9-01 81
Saddlebunch Keys, Florida....................................... 24-38-51 81-36-22 54
San Diego, California........................................... 32-43-00 117-11-00 54
San Nicolas Island, California.................................. 33-14-47 119-31-07 166
Tonopah Test Range, Nevada...................................... 37-44-00 116-43-00 48
Vandenberg, California.......................................... 34-34-58 120-33-42 74
Venice, Florida................................................. 27-04-37 82-27-03 54
Wallops Island, Virginia........................................ 37-51-23 75-30-41 68
White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico........................... 32-58-26 106-23-43 160
Yuma, Arizona................................................... 32-54-03 114-23-10 49
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1 to paragraph (a)(3): The Commission strongly recommends
that parties employing U-NII devices to provide critical
communications services should determine if there are any nearby
Government radar systems that could affect their operation.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(5) For transmitters operating solely in the 5.850-5.895 GHz band
or operating on a channel that spans across 5.725-5.895 GHz:
(i) For an indoor access point or subordinate device, all emissions
at or above 5.895 GHz shall not exceed an e.i.r.p. of 15 dBm/MHz and
shall decrease linearly to an e.i.r.p. of -7 dBm/MHz at or above 5.925
GHz.
(ii) For a client device or an outdoor access point, all emissions
at or above 5.895 GHz shall not exceed an e.i.r.p. of -5 dBm/MHz and
shall decrease linearly to an e.i.r.p. of -27 dBm/MHz at or above 5.925
GHz.
(iii) All emissions below 5.725 GHz shall not exceed an e.i.r.p. of
-27 dBm/MHz at 5.65 GHz increasing linearly to 10 dBm/MHz at 5.7 GHz,
and from 5.7 GHz increasing linearly to a level of 15.6 dBm/MHz at 5.72
GHz, and from 5.72 GHz increasing linearly to a level of 27 dBm/MHz at
5.725 GHz.
* * * * *
PART 90--PRIVATE LAND MOBILE RADIO SERVICES
0
3. The authority citation for part 90 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 161, 303(g), 303(r), 332(c)(7),
1401-1473.
Subpart A--General Information
0
4. Amend Sec. 90.7 by removing the definition of ``Dedicated Short
Range Communication Service (DSRCS),'' adding a definition for
``Cellular Vehicle to Everything Service (CV2X)'' in alphabetical
order, and revising the definitions of ``On-Board unit (OBU)'',
``Roadside unit (RSU)'', and ``Roadway bed surface''.
The addition and revisions read as follows:
Sec. 90.7 Definitions.
* * * * *
Cellular Vehicle to Everything Service (C-V2X). The use of cellular
radio techniques defined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Program
(3GPP) to transfer data between roadside and mobile units, between
mobile units, and between portable and mobile units to perform
operations related to the improvement of traffic flow, traffic safety,
and other intelligent transportation service applications in a variety
of environments. C-V2X systems may also transmit status and
instructional messages related to the units involved.
* * * * *
On-Board Unit (OBU). An On-Board Unit is a C-V2X transceiver that
is normally mounted in or on a vehicle, or which in some instances may
be a portable unit. An OBU can be operational while a vehicle or person
is either mobile or stationary. The OBUs receive and transmit on one or
more radio frequency (RF) channels. Except where specifically excluded,
OBU operation is permitted wherever vehicle operation or human passage
is permitted. The OBUs mounted in vehicles are licensed by rule under
part 95 of this chapter and communicate with Roadside Units (RSUs) and
other OBUs. Portable OBUs are also licensed by rule under part 95 of
this chapter.
Roadside Unit (RSU). A Roadside Unit is a C-V2X transceiver that is
mounted along a road or pedestrian passageway. An RSU may also be
mounted on a vehicle or is hand carried, but it may only operate when
the vehicle or hand-carried unit is stationary. Furthermore, an RSU
operating under this part is restricted to the location where it is
licensed to operate. However, portable or hand-held RSUs are permitted
to operate where they do not interfere with a site-licensed operation.
An RSU broadcasts data to or exchanges data with OBUs.
[[Page 23338]]
Roadway bed surface. For C-V2X, the road surface at ground level.
* * * * *
Subpart H--Policies Governing the Assignment of Frequencies
0
5. Amend Sec. 90.175 by revising paragraph (j)(16) to read as follows:
Sec. 90.175 Frequency coordinator requirements.
* * * * *
(j) * * *
(16) Applications for C-V2X licenses (as well as registrations for
Roadside Units) under subpart M of this part in the 5895-5925 GHz band.
* * * * *
0
6. Amend Sec. 90.179 by revising paragraph (f) to read as follows:
Sec. 90.179 Shared use of radio stations.
* * * * *
(f) Above 800 MHz, shared use on a for-profit private carrier basis
is permitted only by SMR, Private Carrier Paging, LMS, and C-V2X
licensees. See subparts M, P, and S of this part.
* * * * *
Subpart I--General Technical Standards
0
7. In Sec. 90.210, amend Table 1 by removing the entry for ``5850-
5925'' and adding an entry for ``5895-5925'' in its place and revising
footnote 4 to read as follows:
Sec. 90.210 Emission masks.
* * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mask for Mask for
Applicable emission masks equipment with equipment without
frequency band (MHz) audio low pass audio low pass
filter filter
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
5895-5925 \4\
* * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ CV2X Service Roadside Units equipment in the 5895-5925 MHz band is
governed under subpart M of this part.
* * * * *
0
8. In Sec. 90.213(a), revise footnote 10 in Table 1 to read as
follows:
Sec. 90.213 Frequency stability.
(a) * * *
\10\ Frequency stability for C-V2X Service equipment in the 5895-
5925 MHz band is specified in subpart M of this part. For all other
equipment, frequency stability is to be specified in the station
authorization.
* * * * *
Subpart M--Intelligent Transportation Systems Radio Service
0
9. Revise Sec. 90.350 to read as follows:
Sec. 90.350 Scope.
The Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) radio service is for
the purpose of integrating radio-based technologies into the nation's
transportation infrastructure and to develop and implement the nation's
intelligent transportation systems. It includes the Location and
Monitoring Service (LMS) and the Cellular Vehicle to Everything Service
(C-V2X). Rules as to eligibility for licensing, frequencies available,
and any special requirements for services in the Intelligent
Transportation Systems radio service are set forth in this subpart.
0
10. Amend subpart M by revising the undesignated center heading above
Sec. 90.370 to read as follows:
* * * * *
Regulations Governing the Licensing and Use of Frequencies in the 5895-
5925 MHz Band for Cellular Vehicle to Everything (C-V2X) Service
* * * * *
0
11. Amend Sec. 90.370 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:
Sec. 90.370 Permitted frequencies.
(a) C-V2X Roadside Units (RSUs) are permitted to operate in the
5895-5925 MHz band.
* * * * *
0
12. Revise Sec. 90.371 to read as follows:
Sec. 90.371 C-V2X.
(a) C-V2X Roadside Units (RSUs) operating in the band 5895-5925 MHz
shall not receive protection from Government Radiolocation services in
operation prior to the establishment of the RSU. Operation of RSU
stations within the zones listed in the table below, to which NTIA may
amend, modify, or revoke locations and associated parameters, must be
coordinated through the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration.
(b) C-V2X Roadside Units (RSUs) operating in the band 5895-5925 MHz
shall not receive protection from Government Radiolocation services in
operation prior to the establishment of the C-V2X station. Operation of
C-V2X RSU stations within the radius centered on the locations listed
in the table below, to which NTIA may amend, modify, or revoke
locations and associated parameters, must be coordinated through the
National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
0
13. Amend Sec. 90.373 by revising the section heading and the
introductory text to read as follows:
Sec. 90.373 Eligibility in C-V2X.
The following entities are eligible to hold an authorization to
operate Roadside Units in C-V2X:
* * * * *
0
14. Revise Sec. 90.375 to read as follows:
Sec. 90.375 License areas, communication zones, and registrations.
(a) Roadside Units (RSUs) in the 5895-5925 MHz band are licensed on
the basis of non-exclusive geographic areas. Governmental applicants
will be issued a geographic area license based on the geo-political
area encompassing the legal jurisdiction of the entity. All other
applicants will be issued a geographic area license for their proposed
area of operation based on county(s), state(s) or nationwide.
(b) Applicants who are approved in accordance with FCC Form 601
will be granted non-exclusive licenses for the channel(s) corresponding
to their intended operations (see Sec. 90.370). Such licenses serve as
a prerequisite of registering individual RSUs located within the
licensed geographic area described in paragraph (a) of this section.
Licensees must register each RSU in the Universal Licensing System
(ULS) before operating such RSU. RSU registrations are subject, inter
alia, to the requirements of Sec. 1.923 of this chapter as applicable
(antenna structure registration, environmental concerns, international
coordination, and quiet zones). Additionally, RSUs at locations subject
to NTIA coordination (see Sec. 90.371(a)) may not begin operation
until NTIA approval is received. Registrations are not effective until
the Commission posts them on the ULS. It is the licensee's
responsibility to delete from the registration database any RSUs that
have been discontinued.
(c) Licensees must operate each RSU in accordance with the
Commission's rules and the registration data posted on the ULS for such
RSU. Licensees must register each RSU for the smallest communication
zone needed for the intelligent transportation systems application
using one of the following four communication zones:
Table 1 to Paragraph (c)--Communication Zones
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum
output Communications
RSU class power zone (meters)
(dBm) \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A.......................................... 0 15
B.......................................... 10 100
C.......................................... 20 400
[[Page 23339]]
D.......................................... 28.8 1000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ As described in the ATIS transposed standards of the 3GPP
(incorporated by reference, see Sec. 90.395).
0
15. Revise Sec. 90.377 to read as follows:
Sec. 90.377 Maximum EIRP and antenna height.
(a) C-V2X Service licensees must transmit only the power (EIRP)
needed to communicate with an On-Board Unit (OBU) within the
communications zone and must take steps to limit the Roadside Unit
(RSU) signal within the zone to the maximum extent practicable.
(b) C-V2X licensees must limit RSU output power to 20 dBm and
equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP) to 33 dBm. The EIRP is
measured as the maximum EIRP toward the horizon or horizontal,
whichever is greater, of the gain associated with the main or center of
the transmission beam.
(c) The radiation center of an RSU antenna shall not exceed 8
meters above the roadway bed surface, except that an RSU may employ an
antenna with a height exceeding 8 meters but not exceeding 15 meters
provided the EIRP specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section
is reduced by a factor of 20 log(Ht/8) in dB where Ht is the height of
the radiation center of the antenna in meters above the roadway bed
surface. The RSU antenna height must not exceed 15 meters above the
roadway bed surface.
0
16. Revise Sec. 90.379 to read as follows:
Sec. 90.379 Technical standards for Roadside Units.
C-V2X Service RSUs operating in the 5895-5925 MHz band shall comply
with the V2X sidelink service for this band as described in the ATIS
transposed standards of the 3GPP specifications except where these
rules and regulations take precedence (incorporated by reference, see
Sec. 90.395).
0
17. Add Sec. 90.381 to read as follows:
Sec. 90.381 C-V2X emissions limits.
C-V2X Roadside Units (RSUs) must comply with the following out-of-
band emissions limits.
(a) Conducted limits measured at the antenna input must not exceed:
(1) -29 dBm/100 kHz at the band edge (The band is defined in Sec.
90.370 of this part);
(2) -35 dBm/100 kHz 1 megahertz from the band edge;
(3) -43 dBm/100 kHz 10 megahertz from the band edge;
and
(4) -53 dBm/100 kHz 20 megahertz from the band edge.
(b) Radiated limits: All C-V2X Service RSUs must limit radiated
emissions to -25 dBm/100 kHz EIRP or less outside the band edges where
the band is defined in Sec. 90.370 of this part.
0
18. Revise Sec. 90.395 to read as follows:
Sec. 90.395 Incorporation by reference.
Certain material required in this section is incorporated by
reference into this subpart with the approval of the Director of the
Federal Register under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. All approved
material is available for inspection at the address of the FCC's main
office indicated in 47 CFR 0.401(a) and is available from the sources
indicated in this section. It is also available for inspection at the
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on
the availability of this material at NARA, email [email protected]
or go to www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html.
(a) 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), 3GPP Mobile
Competence Centre c/0 ETSI, 650, route des Lucioles, 06921 Sophia
Antipolis Cedex, France, [email protected] https://www.3gpp.org/3gpp-calendar/44-specifications/releases.
(1) 3GPP TR 21.914 V14.0.0 (2018-05) 3rd Generation Partnership
Project; Technical Specification Group Services and System Aspects;
Release 14 Description; Summary of Rel-14 Work Items; into Sec. Sec.
90.375(c), 90.379.
(2) [Reserved]
(b) [Reserved]
Subpart N--Operating Requirements
0
19. Amend Sec. 90.415 by revising paragraph (b) to read as follows:
* * * * *
(b) Render a communications common carrier service, except for
stations in the Public Safety Pool providing communications standby
facilities under Sec. 90.20(a)(2)(xi) and stations licensed under this
part in the SMR, private carrier paging, Industrial/Business Pool, 220-
222 MHz, or C-V2X.
0
20. Amend Sec. 90.421 by adding paragraph (d) to read as follows:
Sec. 90.421 Operation of mobile station units not under the control
of the licensee.
* * * * *
(d) C-V2X On-Board Units licensed by rule under part 95 of this
chapter may communicate with any roadside unit authorized under this
part or any licensed commercial mobile radio service station as defined
in part 20 of this chapter.
0
21. Amend Sec. 90.425 by revising paragraph (d)(10) to read as
follows:
Sec. 90.425 Station identification.
* * * * *
(d) * * *
(10) It is a Roadside Unit (RSU) in a C-V2X system.
PART 95--PERSONAL RADIO SERVICES
0
22. The authority citation for part 95 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, and 307.
Subpart L--C-V2X Service On-Board Units
0
23. The heading for subpart L is revised to read as set forth above.
0
24. Revise Sec. 95.3101 to read as follows:
Sec. 95.3101 Scope.
This subpart contains rules that apply only to On-Board Units
(OBUs) transmitting in the 5895-5925 MHz frequency band in the Cellular
Vehicle to Everything Service (C-V2X) (see Sec. 90.371 of this
chapter).
0
25. Amend Sec. 95.3103 by removing the definition of ``Dedicated
Short-Range Communications Services (DSRCS)'', adding a definition for
``Cellular Vehicle to Everything Service (CV2X)'' in alphabetical
order, and revising the definition of ``On-Board Unit (OBU)''.
The additions and revision read as follows:
Sec. 95.3103 Definitions, OBUs.
Cellular Vehicle to Everything Service (C-V2X). A service providing
for data transfer between various mobile and roadside transmitting
units for the purposes of improving traffic flow, highway safety and
performing other intelligent transportation functions. See Sec. 90.7
of this chapter for a more detailed definition.
On-Board Units (OBUs). OBUs are low-power devices on vehicles that
transfer data to roadside units or other OBUs in the Cellular Vehicle
to Everything Service (C-V2X) (see Sec. Sec. 90.370-90.383 of this
chapter), to improve traffic flow and safety, and for other intelligent
transportation system purposes. See Sec. 90.7 of this chapter.
* * * * *
0
26. Amend Sec. 95.3161 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:
Sec. 95.3161 OBU transmitter certification.
(a) Each On-Board Unit (OBU) that operates or is intended to
operate in C-V2X must be certified in accordance
[[Page 23340]]
with this subpart and subpart J of part 2 of this chapter.
* * * * *
0
27. Revise Sec. 95.3163 to read as follows:
Sec. 95.3163 OBU frequencies.
C-V2X Service OBUs are permitted to operate in the 5895-5925 MHz
band.
0
28. Revise Sec. 95.3167 to read as follows:
Sec. 95.3167 OBU transmit power limit.
(a) The maximum equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP) for
vehicular and portable C-V2X OBU transmitter types is limited to 33
dBm.
(b) The power limit in paragraph (a) of this section may be
referenced to the antenna input, so that cable losses are taken into
account.
(c) For purposes of this section, a portable unit is a transmitting
device designed to be used so that the radiating structure(s) of the
device is/are within 20 centimeters of the body of the user.
0
29. Add Sec. 95.3179 to read as follows:
Sec. 95.3179 Unwanted emissions limits.
C-V2X On Board Units must comply with the following out-of-band
emissions limits.
Conducted limits measured at the antenna input shall not exceed:
(a) -29 dBm/100 kHz at the band edge (The band is defined in
section 95.3163 of this part);
(b) -35 dBm/100 kHz 1 megahertz from the band edge;
(c) -43 dBm/100 kHz 10 megahertz from the band edge;
and
(d) -53 dBm/100 kHz 20 megahertz from the band edge.
0
30. Revise Sec. 95.3189 to read as follows:
Sec. 95.3189 OBU technical standard.
(a) C-V2X Service OBU transmitter types operating in the 5895-5925
MHz band shall comply with the V2X sidelink service for this band as
described in the ATIS transposed standards of the 3GPP specifications
except where these rules and regulations take precedence.
(b) 3GPP TR 21.914 V14.0.0 (2018-05) 3rd Generation Partnership
Project; Technical Specification Group Services and System Aspects;
Release 14 Description; Summary of Rel-14 Work Items is incorporated by
reference into this section with the approval of the Director of the
Federal Register under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. All approved
material is available for inspection at the address of the FCC's main
office indicated in 47 CFR 0.401(a) and is available from 3rd
Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), 3GPP Mobile Competence Centre c/
0 ETSI, 650, route des Lucioles, 06921 Sophia Antipolis Cedex, France,
[email protected], at https://www.3gpp.org/3gpp-calendar/44-specifications/releases. It is also available for inspection at the National Archives
and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, email [email protected] or go to
www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html.
Appendix A to Part 95--[Amended]
0
31. Amend the table in appendix A to part 95 by removing the entry of
``95.1509--ASTM E221-03 DSRC Standard''.
[FR Doc. 2021-08801 Filed 4-30-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P