The FCC has adopted initial rules for wireless communications to safely control the flights of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), including drones, in a portion of the 5 GHz spectrum band.
Drones are an increasingly relied upon tool in the broadcast industry, including for tower maintenance. The FAA’s small unmanned aircraft rules (Part 107) allow a range of businesses to use unmanned aircraft that weigh up to 55 pounds, including their onboard systems. Overall, UAS operations in the U.S. are expected to triple in terms of the number of number of devices within the current decade.
The new rules will allow UAS operators access to direct frequency assignments in the 5030-5091 MHz band. The allocation is for Non-Networked Access (NNA), which means direct communication links without the need for network infrastructure. The rules also introduce Dynamic Frequency Management Systems (DFMS), which will assign temporary frequency use to operators to efficiently manage the spectrum.
“We are already starting to live in the future we’ve long imagined: Uncrewed aircraft systems are fighting wildfires, supporting news gathering, delivering packages, and supporting national security,” Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement released by the FCC. She said the commission is working to meet the spectrum needs of UAS activity.
The commission said it has placed the NNA spectrum away from band edges to prevent interference with adjacent services. The initial allocation is a 10 MHz block located between 5040-5050 MHz, with temporary access to a 20 MHz block out to 5060 MHz until the DFMS is operational.
Because the DFMS is not yet active, there will be interim access where operators first submit a request to the FAA and, if approved, complete an online registration form with the FCC. It will be made available to UAS operators after the rules become effective, which will be announced in a future commission public notice.
The rules are part of a report and order adopted by a FCC vote. It was previewed in the National Spectrum Strategy the FCC released in November 2023, in which the commission said it would take action to facilitate deployment of UAS in the 5 GHz band. The commission is coordinating this action with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the FAA.
(Read the commission’s report and order on drone operations.)
