FCC Asks About Use of 450 MHz Band for Drones

The FCC sought comment Wednesday on a petition by AURA Network Systems and A2G Communications for a rulemaking on expanding the use of air-ground radiotelephone service (AGRAS) channels between 454.675-454.975 MHz and 459.675-459.975 MHz for voice and data communications, including by drones. The companies said in a petition they hold all the active licenses in the 450 MHz AGRAS band. “While the bandwidth limitations in the 450 MHz AGRAS band make the spectrum unsuited for commercial broadband data services, the band is ideal for serving aviation subscribers with voice and data service,” they said: “The band is particularly well suited” for drone “Control and Non-Payload Communications." Comments are due in 30 days in docket RM-11912, said a Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau notice.