CTIA at Odds With Drone Industry on Aerospace Industries Association Petition

Commenters disagreed on the merits of a February petition by the Aerospace Industries Association asking the FCC to act on technical and operational rules for using the 5030-5091 MHz band for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) controls (see 1802090049). In April, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau sought comment on the petition in RM-11798. CTIA said the FCC needs to do more thinking before releasing an NPRM. “The vague nature of the AIA Petition makes it unclear if AIA is suggesting either: (a) an overly broad approach that would require all UAS to utilize the 5030-5091 MHz band for command and control links under Part 87 rules; or (b) an extremely narrow approach, based on standards developed by the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA), reserving this band only for UAS that are transitioning in and out of Class A airspace, above 18,000 feet,” CTIA said. There's no "one-size-fits-all" solution on spectrum for drones, CTIA said. UAS makers largely supported the petition. Boeing said AIA makes some important recommendations, concurring "with the AIA that the Commission should prohibit non-safety-of-life communications in the 5030-5091 MHz band.” The company "agrees with the AIA petition the Commission should modify the U.S. Table of Frequency Allocations to reflect this allocation of the 5030-5091 MHz band for UAS safety-of-life transmissions.” Boeing backed a “dynamic frequency-assignment process.” The company supported AIA recommendations the FCC develop a licensing framework aligned with FAA flight certification requirements. Lockheed Martin backs the petition. Ensure “adequate spectrum resources are implemented to support dedicated command and control frequency channels for the safe and reliable operation of larger unmanned aircraft,” the company asked. Raytheon also supported the petition. “The regulatory framework described in AIA’s Petition represents a good starting point for the adoption of licensing and operational rules for UAS” command and control, said Elefante Group, which plans to deploy persistent, unmanned stratospheric airborne platforms as part of U.S. communications networks.