CTIA Asks FCC to Pause on Spectrum for Drones

The Aerospace Industries Association petition for technical and operational rules for using the 5030-5091 MHz band for unmanned aircraft systems controls can't be the basis for an NPRM, CTIA replied in RM-11798. In April, the FCC Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau sought comment on the petition. Initial comments were mixed (see 1805300049). CTIA saw general consensus. “Commenters agree that the AIA Petition lacks clarity and cannot be acted upon,” CTIA said. “A diverse set of UAS stakeholders, from those with interests in small UAS, to large stratospheric platforms, to AIA members themselves, are puzzled by the ambiguity.” CTIA disputed Boeing statements no bands other than 5030-5091 MHz are available for control-non-payload communications: “Many other spectrum bands are suitable for UAS command and control functions, including the commercial wireless bands that enable 4G LTE and 5G.” AeroVironment, which makes small UAS for DOD and other customers, disagreed. In the initial comment round, six of eight commenters supported releasing an NPRM, the company said. “Within the rulemaking process, opposition to, or alternatives for, committing 5030-5091 MHz to safety or regularity of flight can be debated in detail,” AeroVironment said. AIA asked the FCC to act on the NPRM, saying it has "no expectation” the band is the only one that would be used by UAS. “A variety of spectrum bands and frequency assignment mechanisms are currently being contemplated for different UAS use cases,” the group said. “The participation of multiple industry stakeholders serves to reinforce the view that the time is right for the FCC to act.” Rockwell Collins "fully agrees" with Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon seeking prompt action.