Innowireless, the parent company of Accuver, has secured a key foothold in its effort to expand its global presence in the vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications market.

According to industry reports on the 18th, Innowireless obtained a waiver from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) last month, allowing the company to deploy cellular-based C-V2X technology in the 5.9 GHz frequency band.

This waiver enables Innowireless to develop and distribute C-V2X communication solutions targeting the U.S. automotive and next-generation intelligent transport systems (C-ITS) markets. The FCC's waiver is a special approval that permits the use of C-V2X technology in place of existing Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC) technology, facilitating real-time communication between vehicles and infrastructure.

C-V2X is a critical communication method for C-ITS, which is essential for autonomous driving. The U.S. initially allocated the 5.9 GHz band for DSRC technology. However, as the C-ITS standard shifted from DSRC to cellular-based LTE-V2X, the spectrum was reallocated.

The FCC has reallocated 45 MHz of the 5.9 GHz band for unlicensed use, dedicating the remaining 30 MHz (5.895-5.925 GHz) exclusively for C-V2X technology. However, to accelerate the commercialization of C-V2X, companies needed waivers from certain DSRC-focused FCC regulations.

The FCC reviews applications from companies that want to develop and distribute pre-commercial C-V2X products and grants waivers accordingly. Last month, Innowireless received such a waiver to operate C-V2X technology in the 5.9 GHz band. As a result, Innowireless can now use the 20 MHz bandwidth (5.905-5.925 GHz) for traffic and vehicle safety-related communications.

Accuver plans to showcase its C-V2X-based roadside units (RSUs), onboard units (OBUs), and V2X testing solutions -developed by Waites, which it acquired earlier this year- at the ITS World Congress in Dubai next month and at MWC Las Vegas in October.

Accuver stated, “This FCC waiver approval marks an important first step toward expanding our presence in the V2X and C-ITS markets. We are committed to accelerating the era of autonomous driving with our innovative V2X testing systems and devices.”