'Peaceful coexistence of C-V2X and ITS-G5 technology offers the highest net benefits for Europe' / 5GAA and EU policymakers discuss future of 5G for connected and automated vehicles (FOTO)

Brussels, Belgium (ots) -

The 5G Automotive Association (5GAA), a cross-industry association
of the telecoms and automotive industry, held a policy debate on
Tuesday 5 December in Brussels to discuss the concrete actions
necessary to implement 5G connected and automated vehicles in Europe.
A recurring theme in Tuesday's debate was the cohesive development
and implementation of cellular "vehicle to everything" (C-V2X)
technology, the technology that will enable automobiles to
communicate via cellular networks to other connected devices but also
the possibility of ad-hoc communication without any cellular network
involvement (e.g. in case of weak coverage). Policymakers and
industry face the ongoing challenge of creating a cohesive framework
that enables private sector innovation while ensuring a safe and
economically viable rollout of new technologies.

Attendees heard from a wide range from various European political
and administrative representatives, including Eddy Hartog, EC Head of
Unit Smart Mobility and Living, Attila Benedek (Adviser to István
Ujhelyi MEP, rapporteur on European C-ITS Strategy), Jaime Moreno
García-Cano of the Spanish traffic authority or Andreas Geiss, EC
Head of Unit for Spectrum Policy. 5GAA was represented by its
Secretary, Markus Dillinger of Huawei and board members, Luke
Ibbetson of Vodafone, Joachim Göthel of BMW, Rainer Krumrein of
Daimler, and Friedhelm Ramme of Ericsson.

The debate coincides with the Commission's ongoing public
consultation on its European Strategy on Cooperative Intelligent
Transport Systems (C-ITS), which runs through January 5, 2018. C-V2X
technology stands to significantly improve road safety and facilitate
traffic flows in the EU. Ultimately, the benefits of this technology
across the EU could save the several billion euros that are lost
every year to traffic accidents and congested roadways.

Markus Dillinger, 5GAA Secretary and Member of the Executive
Committee: "5GAA was founded to underscore the urgency in developing
technology that makes our roads safer and smarter. Today's debate
brought together public and private sector stakeholders to discuss
the capabilities of such technology as well as the acceleration of
creating a regulatory framework in which the industry can work."

During the event, analysts from Analysys Mason and SBD Automotive
presented the findings of a cost-benefit analysis of implementing
C-V2X technology. The socio-economic returns of deployment of C-ITS
systems may amount to EUR 43 billion by 2035 in Europe, if both C-V2X
and the Wi-Fi Standard IEEE 802.11p are able to co-exist in the
5.9GHz spectrum band. The 5GAA also presented a study assessing the
road safety benefits of LTE-V2X (PC-5) and IEEE 802.11p in the EU,
which indicates that LTE-V2X (PC5) outperforms 802.11p in reducing
fatalities and serious injuries. In addition, it demonstrates that
the absence of interoperability between technologies is unlikely to
present a substantive barrier to the reduction of road accidents in
the short to medium term. Bill McKinley, 5GAA rapporteur on tests and
trials, and Rainer Krumrein of Daimler also presented 5GAA's
perspective on C-V2X performance and future capabilities.

The event culminated in a panel discussion to discuss the right
framework to accelerate the deployment of the C-ITS across Europe.
Particular attention was given to short range communications in the
5.9 GHz band and the four guiding policy principles established by
the European Commission: uncompromised safety services for all users
in case of multiple technologies implementation, technology
neutrality of spectrum regulation, efficient spectrum use and
introduction in the longer-term of 5G for the further development of
cooperative, connected and automated mobility.

Luke Ibbetson, R&D Director Vodafone Group and member of 5GAA:
"Both C-V2X and ITS-G5 technologies should peacefully co-exist in the
5.9 GHz band. The socio-economic and road safety studies presented at
this event indicate that co-existence offers the highest net benefits
for the European economy, amounting to EUR 43 billion by 2035."

Joachim Göthel, Senior Manager Project 5G-Alliance of BMW and
member of 5GAA: "C-V2X offers a strong evolution path to 5G which is
absolutely essential to enable full connected and automated driving
in the future, while enabling a fast roll-out for many
functionalities in the very short-term, utilizing existing cellular
networks."

About 5GAA

The 5GAA is a cross-industry association between the cellular and
automotive industries to develop, test and promote communications
solutions, initiate their standardisation and accelerate their
commercial availability and global market penetration, to address
society's connected mobility and road safety needs with applications
such as automated driving, ubiquitous access to services and
integration into smart city and intelligent transportation.

Press contact:
Robbe Libbrecht
Robbe.libbrecht@finnpr.com
M +32 497 23 30 38

Original-Content von: 5GAA - 5G Automotive Association e.V., übermittelt durch news aktuell