Remarks of Commissioner O'Rielly at "The Road to Gigabit Wi-FI"

The upper 5 GHz is a critical component to the continued success of unlicensed spectrum use. This is because it’s adjacent to the rest of the 5 GHz band, in which Wi-Fi has been incredibly successful. As the Federal Communications Commission considers the best way to share the 5.9 GHz band with nonautomotive users, we must ensure that the Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) technology focuses on human safety, which needs to be defined reasonably, but narrowly. For Commission purposes, safety does not include functions better suited for commercial spectrum bands and partnerships with commercial wireless providers.

For instance, we should make clear, as necessary, that e-commerce and social media are out of bounds, and so too are things like locating parking spots. New America’s latest report does a very good job of thoughtfully dissecting a number of issues I have discussed today and makes a strong case for the Commission initiating a proceeding to formalize the testing process. I am very sympathetic to this view as the time to act is soon, before the Commission gets focused on some other unrelated matter. Moreover, too many items will soon be caught in the political whirlwind that will intensify later in 2016, which will likely slow down the Commission’s activities as personnel depart. With a little bit of hard work and attentiveness, the Commission can vastly expand the Wi-Fi experience at 5 GHz. I am pleased to be part of the effort to make it happen.