FCC to collect wireless spectrum that could interfere with vital weather data, reject requests from US homes and scientific bodies
The Federal Communications Commission prioritises the development of 5G wireless technology over potential adverse effects on weather data, researchers say. (Mark Schiefelbein / AP)
The Federal Communications Commission intends to proceed with a plan to deliver wireless radio frequencies that scientists say could damage critical satellite data used in weather forecasts.
The FCC said the auction, scheduled on Thursday, will continue despite protests from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NASA, as well as two US House committees.
For several months, the FCC, which supports the interests of promoting 5G wireless technology, has spared NOAA and NASA, who have struggled to protect the wireless radio frequencies or "spectrum" along and beside the frequencies, weather data is transmitted.
In a last uneven effort to intervene three sub-committee chairmen of the House Appropriations Committee, and the House Science Committee, led by Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Tex.) Wrote separate letters Wednesday to the FCC chairman Ajit Pai and requested that the auction be delayed.
But FCC spokesman Brian Hart told The Washington Post in an email that the auction would continue.
"[Thursday’s] 24 GHz auction is an important step towards securing US leadership in 5G," he said. "While the nation's international competitors would undoubtedly be happy if we delayed this auction of greenfield spectrum at the last minute, the FCC will move forward as planned, so our nation can win the race to 5G, and the American people can quickly enjoy the benefits of the next generation of wireless connections. "
The letter grant committee had stressed that a delay" is needed to enable further review of potential disruption of adjacent band use that is critical to national security, as well as the protection of US life and property. "
It explained that NOAA "uses the 23.6-24 GHz spectrum band for microwave sensor-based remote control of atmospheric water vapor, which is the easiest efficient data stream to accurately forecast weather. This data is used by NOAA's National Weather Service, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Ministry of Defense ( DOD), as well as it spreads e international weather community. "
Without this data said the letter, forecast accuracy" would be reduced to the accuracy of the forecasts produced in the 1970s. "
It requested that the FCC provide analysis to evaluate the impact of auctioning this spectrum before continuing and working together with federal agencies to secure "adjoining services" – To be clear, we fully support the development of 5G technology and agree with the administration that it is important that our nation leads the world in its development, "the letter concluded. "However, any support for this new technology must be weighed against the cost of other priorities, including national security and the security of Americans' lives and property."
The letter from the House Science Committee reinforced the main points in a letter from the grant committee.
"There is great concern that the FCC noise limit will allow interference in weather and climate," the letter said.
It concluded: "We therefore ask that you delay the action of the 5G spectrum of NOAA, NASA and DOD have been adequately consulted and their concerns have been addressed."
FCC's Hart said the plan to auction this spectrum has "been on the books since 2007" and that "it is therefore confusing to be asked to postpone this auction the day before it begins."
