Chairman Pai's Response to Rep. DeFazio Regarding C-Band

On Nov 22, 2019, Rep Peter DeFazio (D-OR) wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai about his growing concern with the FCC's "pattern of subordinating transportation safety to corporate broadband interests." He objected tot he FCC's proposal to repurpose portions of the 3.7-4.2 GHz spectrum band (C-band) for 5G purposes. He also objected to the FCC proposal to give away more than half the reserved 5.9 GHz connected vehicle spectrum to unlicensed Wi-Fi. 

On Jan 14, 2020, Chairman Pai responded by saying that one of his four guiding principles in the C-band proceeding is to ensure that incumbent services are protected. Chairman Pai discusses an analysis done by engineers that concluded making the spectrum available for 5G would not have a negative impact on radio altimeters. "I have every confidence that we can make this critical swatch of mid-band spectrum available for 5G, the next generation of wireless connectivity, while ensuring that existing users are held harmless." He also discussed the 5.9 GHz proposal, saying it takes a balanced approach and that it has broad, bipartisan support.