AIA, Boeing Raise Concern on FCC Drone Waiver, but Most Support

The Aerospace Industries Association said the FCC shouldn’t make a quick decision on a request for waiver for drones of 450 MHz general aviation air-ground radiotelephone service rules by Aura Network Systems and A2G Communications (see 2006240023). Other commenters said drones need more spectrum for command and control (C2) and the request should be approved. Several reminded of a pending rulemaking on use of the 960-1164 MHz and 5030-5091 MHz bands by drones (see 1912270039), posted through Monday in docket 20-185. AIA raised air safety concerns. “Given that the waiver is seeking a change in the use of spectrum from the Land-Mobile service … to an aviation safety use, AURA should be required to consult with" FAA, the group said. Boeing also raised safety issues: “Issuing an expedited waiver to a single provider, in a frequency band that has not been demonstrated to be safe for UAS [unmanned aircraft system] C2 operations, is not the best path.” The 5030-5091 MHz band is allocated for drone control “pursuant to international consensus,” Boeing noted. The National Public Safety Telecommunications Council endorsed waiver, warning “additional spectrum for payload and possibly for command and control will be needed for effective UAS operations, given the expanding demand for UAS.” The Enterprise Wireless Alliance “supports whatever waiver relief the FCC considers necessary,” EWA said: “This is a logical response to technology advances that often exceed the pace of regulatory changes.” EWA agreed drones need spectrum beyond 450 MHz. The Edison Electric Institute said drones are increasingly important to electric utilities and the waiver should be approved. The band’s “propagation characteristics, bandwidth and lack of other incumbents makes it well suited for command and control and non-payload communications at low altitudes and a cost-effective nationwide coverage for low-altitude, Beyond Visual Line of Sight and other expanded operations,” EEI said. Federated Wireless said dynamic sharing can prevent harmful interference.