Regulatory Compliance News

FCC Finalizes C-V2X Transition: A New Era for Automotive Safety in the 5.9 GHz Band

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted a Second Report and Order (FCC 24-106) that marks a definitive shift in U.S. automotive safety technology. This ruling codifies the transition of the 5.895-5.925 GHz spectrum from legacy Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) to the more advanced Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) technology.

This decision follows the FCC’s 2020 initiative to split the 5.9 GHz band, dedicating the lower 45 MHz to unlicensed Wi-Fi use while reserving the upper 30 MHz for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). By finalizing the technical rules for C-V2X, the FCC aims to reduce traffic accidents and pave the way for autonomous vehicle integration.

The Sunset of DSRC

The most significant impact of this order is the official phase-out of DSRC technology, which has occupied the band for over two decades with limited deployment.

• • Two-Year Transition: All existing DSRC operations must cease within two years of the effective date of the new rules.
• • Interim Waivers: While many automakers already hold waivers to deploy C-V2X, this order provides a permanent regulatory framework, removing the need for case-by-case approvals.
• • Legacy Support: Licensees are encouraged to migrate safety-critical applications to C-V2X immediately to ensure continuity in vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) alerts.

Updated Technical & Operational Rules

• • Power and Emission Limits: The FCC has established final out-of-band emission (OOBE) limits and power levels for C-V2X On-Board Units (OBUs) and Roadside Units (RSUs) to prevent interference with unlicensed devices in the adjacent 5.850-5.895 GHz sub-band.
• • Prioritization of Safety: The rules reinforce that ITS spectrum must be used primarily for non-commercial safety-of-life communications.
• • Vulnerable Road User (VRU) Protection: The C-V2X framework specifically enables direct communication between vehicles and pedestrians/cyclists (V2P), a capability that DSRC struggled to scale.

What This Means for Stakeholders

For the automotive industry, this provides the "regulatory green light" needed for mass-market C-V2X integration in 2026 and 2027 model years. For the telecommunications sector, it solidifies the 5.9 GHz band as a hybrid ecosystem where next-gen Wi-Fi and life-saving automotive tech coexist.

The new rules will become effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register, with the exception of certain information collection requirements subject to OMB approval.