Cable operators are trying to jump-start the FCC's announced review of the 5.9 GHz band currently set aside for connected cars. 

The FCC is looking to allow unlicensed WiFi to share the 75 MHz of spectrum in that band with the incumbent vehicle-to-vehicle (V-to-V) licensed users, yet another of the FCC's efforts to free up more spectrum for next-gen communications including 5G. Cable operators, who rely on WiFi as their primary out-of-home broadband extender, are all for freeing it up, and pushed for the fresh review.  

Car companies have historically pushed back, citing potential interference to those crucial V-to-V communications.  

Related: Hill Chill with 5.9 GHz Review 

Executives from NCTA-The Internet & Television Association as well as members Comcast and Charter met with FCC chair Ajit Pai's legal advisor, Aaron Goldberger, to ask that the FCC "move forward" with its "fresh look" at the band. 

In a May a speech to the WiFi World Congress, Pai said: "Given the swirl of the debate and the vast technological changes that have occurred since the Commission allocated the 5.9 GHz band 20 years ago, I believe that the time has come for the FCC to take a fresh look at this band. We should open up a rulemaking proceeding, seek comment on various proposals for the band’s future, and use the record that we compile to make a final decision on how the band should be allocated." 

The FCC wrapped some initial tests in June that concluded that WiFi devices could peacefully coexist with DSRC if that technology does eventually come into wide use for vehicle-to-vehicle communications, which it may well not given app-based communications that may have overtaken it. 

The government set aside the 5.9 GHz spectrum almost two decades ago (1999) for intelligent vehicle systems, but the technology has yet to materialize. The Obama-era planned mandate of DSRC hasn't, either, under the Trump administration, and some car companies are looking at alternative approaches to vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications (notably Qualcomm's Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) technology. 

Add the connected car to the batch of platforms being supported by authenticated TV Everywhere services.

Epix, the MGM-owned premium programmer, said its streaming video app will be woven into rear-seat entertainment systems offered in Honda’s 2018 Odyssey minivans.

That app, to be pre-loaded on a connected car platform powered by Delphi Automotive in tandem with OpenMobile, will let Epix subs log in to watch the programmer’s library of 2,000-plus movies and TV shows, including network originals, four Epix live linear feeds, as well as access to features such as a personal queue, curated content collections, and movie trailers. The Epix app for the Honda vehicles will also support free sampling.

According to CNET, Honda’s rear entertainment system for the Odyssey features a 10.2-inch screen, with apps fed by an optional onboard LTE data connection that can connect up to seven portable WiFi devices.

“We are excited to be the first entertainment network to partner with Honda for this key inflection point in the world of smart connected vehicles and video,” Mark Greenberg, president and CEO of Epix, said in a statement. “As vehicles evolve to become the ultimate mobile device, we are pleased to work with Honda to develop new entertainment experiences for second and third row passengers and pioneer this next chapter of streaming video and true TV Everywhere.”

“EPIX has a deep roadmap of innovative features planned in the coming months, including new ways to download content to your Honda entertainment system using other mobile devices in and out of vehicles,” added Jon Dakss, Epix’s chief digital officer. “We’re also tracking the rapid technological advances in the autonomous vehicle space as we believe they will create extraordinary new ways for people to access premium content while they travel." 

A bill reintroduced by Sens. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) would require manufacturers of connected cars to get an owner's opt-in permission to use any information collected by the car for advertising or marketing purposes -- such as triggering a gas pump ad for a local restaurant as the car rolls into the station for a fill-up.

The Security and Privacy in Your Car Act of 2017 (SPY Car Act) would direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Trade Commission (which oversees device privacy) to set cybersecurity standards for cars.

In addition to user opt-in for sharing of data, the bill would require "clear and conspicuous notice" to vehicle owners or lessees of the collection, transmission, retention and use of data collected from their cars.

The opt-in would extend to data used for car safety systems. Owner or lessees who decided not to opt in would still get access to navigation tools and other features "to the extent technically possible."

Opting in to data sharing for marketing or ad purposes can't be a condition for the use of any non-marketing related features or functions.

Those car-related provisions track with the FCC broadband privacy rules -- opt in, no marketing quid pro quo -- that Republicans in Congress are trying to overturn, and both Markey and Blumenthal strongly support.

The senators are also reintroducing an aircraft cybersecurity bill.

“Whether in their cars on the road or in aircraft in the sky, Americans should be protected from cyberattack and violations of their privacy,” Markey said of the two bills. “If hackers access the critical systems of a car or plane, disaster could ensue and our public safety could be compromised. We must ensure that as technologies change, our safety and privacy is maintained. I thank Sen. Blumenthal for his partnership on this critical issue.”

Nomi Bergman, president of Advance/Newhouse Partnership and the former president of Bright House Networks, has been elected to the board of Visteon Corp., a maker of cockpit electronics and connected car products under brands such as Lightscape, OpenAir and SmartCore.

Bergman’s board seat at Visteon becomes effective October 1. Bergman was alsorecently named to the board of Mediamorph, a cloud-based rights management systems for programmers and video distributors.

Those appointments followed Charter Communications’s acquisition of Bright House and Time Warner Cable in May.

“We are honored to welcome Nomi to our board of directors,” said Francis Scricco, chairman of Visteon’s board of directors, in a statement. “She adds a tremendous amount of industry leadership as proven by her role in leading the cable television industry into the software phase of its development.”

“I am honored to join the talented, dedicated members of the Visteon board and company, who have courageously led the firm through a significant transformation,” added Bergman. Both inspired confidence in me, as they have done with their customers. Visteon has clearly emerged with a strong balance sheet, a robust foundation of successful design and manufacturing experience, and a crisp, innovative focus on cockpit electronics and connected car solutions.”

Dr. Rouzbeh Yassini, a Visteon board member and DOCSIS pioneer known as the “Father of the Cable Modem,” said: “Visteon’s transformation to provide software platforms for the auto industry began in 2014, gained momentum with the 2015 hiring of Sachin [Lawande] as its CEO, and now adds more strength with the addition of Nomi to Visteon’s board with her solid technical and service- oriented leadership.”

Visteon posted Q2 sales of of $773 million and net income of $26 million, or $0.76 per diluted share.