Mixed views on reintroduction of US Wi-Fi Innovation Act

US Senators Marco Rubio and Cory Booker have reintroduced S. 424, the Wi-Fi Innovation Act, legislation to expand unlicensed spectrum use by requiring the 2115 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to test the feasibility of opening the upper 5 GHz band to unlicensed use.

At a time when demand for spectrum is drastically increasing, the legislation aims to provide more of this valuable resource to the public to bolster innovation, spur economic development, and increase connectivity.

According to Rubio, US policies must adapt to the technological advances that are “defining the 21st century and transforming the very nature of the American economy.” The Wi-Fi Innovation Act would bolster innovation, spur economic development, and increase connectivity by providing more spectrum to the public,” he said.

“Spectrum is a valuable yet limited resource that must be utilized effectively and efficiently. By requiring the FCC to conduct testing that would provide more spectrum to the public, we are ultimately putting the resource to better use and recognising the future needs and important work being done in intelligent transportation,” he added.

However, a coalition representing automobile manufacturers, motorists, state highway and transportation officials and the intelligent transportation community, including 560 ITS America, 4944 American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, American Public Transportation Association, 833 American Traffic Safety Services Association  and others has written to Members of Congress asking them to oppose the Wi-Fi Innovation Act.

ITS America claims the Act jeopardises the future of automotive safety. Thomas E. Kern, interim president and CEO of ITS America said: “We are on the cusp of a revolution in vehicle safety that will save thousands of lives each year and dramatically reduce the nearly US$1 trillion cost of traffic crashes and congestion to families, communities and the nation’s economy.

“Experts from the automotive, wi-fi and intelligent transportation systems (ITS) industries are working together to explore whether a spectrum sharing technology can be developed to allow wi-fi devices to operate in the same 5.9 GHz band set aside by the FCC for ITS safety systems without delaying time-critical communications needed to prevent crashes. This collaborative process should continue without Congressionally-imposed deadlines, restrictive parameters or political pressure that creates regulatory uncertainty and could delay bringing these life-saving crash prevention technologies to consumers.”