FCC Considers New Rules for Drone Spectrum Use

 Hey - Long time, no see!

The FCC issued a Report and Order considering rules to establsih service rules to allow operators of unmanned aerial vehicles ("UAV") to obtain direct frequency assignments in a portion of the 5030-5091 MHz band for non-networked operations.  UAVs or drones have been using spectrum without coordination or protection.  This proceeding will provide both.

From the Commission's press release:

The Report and Order circulated on April 5, 2024, would rely on dynamic frequency
management systems (DFMSs) to manage and coordinate access to the spectrum and enable its
safe and efficient use. These DFMSs would provide requesting operators with temporary
frequency assignments to support UAS control link communications with a level of reliability
suitable for operations in controlled airspace and other safety-critical circumstances. To enable
operations in the band during the interim period before the DFMS is in operation, the rules
would, on an interim basis, require operators seeking to transmit in the band to first submit a
request to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for deconfliction and approval, and,
upon FAA authorization, complete an on-line registration form with the Commission.

Expect comments to be due in 45 days or so.  Will update when R&O is released.