Self-Driving Cars May Need Spectrum Sharing, Senator Says; Colleague Warns of IoT Law Barriers

To facilitate an age of self-driving cars, “we’re potentially going to have to share some spectrum,” said Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., citing his legislation with Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D. “that we hope to introduce shortly.” He cited the 5.9 GHz band and the “process going forward right now to see whether that can be shared.” He asked nominees at their hearing Thursday for a commitment that such testing is a “fair and transparent process that is driven by facts.” NTIA Administrator nominee David Redl agreed and said “we should be pushing for transparency at every venture.” Derek Kan, the nominee for undersecretary of transportation for policy, also made that commitment. Communications Subcommittee ranking member Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, secured a commitment from Redl that he would work with the Commerce Department to comply with appropriations law requiring an interagency review group. Schatz warned against IoT-focused companies “operating under 17 different statutory regimes.” Redl wants to “try and knock down some of those barriers,” he agreed.