The FCC will auction wireless spectrum that could interfere with critical weather data, rejecting requests from the US home and scientific agencies

The Federal Communications Commission intends to implement a project to auction wireless radio frequencies that scientists say could damage vital satellite data used for weather forecasts.

The FCC has announced that Thursday's auction will take place despite protests from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NASA, as well as two committees at the American House.

For months, the FCC, defending the interests of advanced 5G wireless technology, has teamed up with NOAA and NASA, who fought to protect wireless radio frequencies or "spectrum" along and near the frequencies. Meteorological data is transmitted.

Last week, the agencies found themselves in a stalemate when the FCC rejected requests from NOAA and NASA to continue deliberations on spectrum policy.

In a final effort of intervention, three chairs of the sub-committees of the House Appropriations Committee and the House Scientific Committee, chaired by Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Tex.), Wrote separate letters on Wednesday at FCC President Ajit Pai, asking the auction be delayed.

But FCC spokesman Brian Hart said in an email to the Washington Post that the auction would proceed.

"[Thursday’s] The 24 GHz auction is an important step in securing US leadership in 5G, "he said. "While international competitors in our country would no doubt delight in delaying this bid at the last minute, the FCC will go ahead as planned so that our country can win the 5G race and the American people can quickly take advantage of the next generation of wireless connectivity. "

The Appropriations Committee's letter pointed out that "a delay" is necessary to allow a more in-depth examination of potential interference with adjacent band uses that are essential for national security as well as for the protection of life and property. the United States".

He explained that NOAA "uses the 23.6-24 GHz spectrum band for microwave sensor remote sensing of atmospheric levels of water vapor, which is the most important data flow for accurate weather forecasting. These data are used by the NOAA National Weather Service, NASA and the Department of Defense (DOD), in addition to the broader international meteorological community. "

Without these data, says the letter, the accuracy of the forecasts "would be reduced to the accuracy of the forecasts produced in the 1970s".

He asked the FCC to provide an analysis assessing the impact of auctioning this spectrum before proceeding and to cooperate with federal agencies to ensure that "adjacent services", ie the flow satellite meteorological data, be "fully" protected.

"To be clear, we fully support the development of 5G technology and agree with the administration that it is imperative that our nation lead 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 safety of life and property of Americans."

The letter of the Scientific Committee of the House reinforced the main points of the Credit Committee's letter.

"It is very worrying that the FCC noise threshold will interfere with weather and climate conditions," the letter says.

He concluded: "We are therefore asking you to delay the action of the 5G spectrum until NOAA, NASA and DOD have been properly consulted and their concerns have been taken into account."

Mr. Hart of the FCC stated that the auction project for this spectrum was "planned in the books since 2007" and that it was "difficult to request that the sale be postponed until the day before. the day it begins. "