These communications systems can, for example, warn other drivers of slippery roads or of a crash which just happened. Smart vehicle communication systems have the potential to make life safer and easier for Europe’s drivers. The EC action also aims to foster investment in smart vehicle communication systems by the automotive industry, at the same time spurring public funding in essential roadside infrastructure.
The Commission decision provides a single EU-wide frequency band that can be used for immediate and reliable communication amongst cars, and between cars and roadside infrastructure. It is 30 MHz of bandwidth in the 5.9 Gigahertz (GHz) band which will be allocated within the next six months by national authorities across Europe to road safety applications, without barring other services already in place (such as radio amateur services).
This decision is an example of successful cooperation in Europe to establish conditions for interoperability and cross-border use of car-to-car and car-to-infrastructure communication. It will facilitate the development and testing of road safety related applications in the EU by providing common and stable bandwidth access to the automotive industry and road operators.