Ford said it has a better idea, and data, about how adjacent-channel interference from unlicensed WiFi in the 5.9 GHz band could pose a threat to incumbent vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) safety and other communications.

Related: Spectrum Alliance Pushes for 5.9 GHz

In a filing at the FCC, the car company said the data provided by CableLabs and NCTA-the Internet & Television Association--to demonstrate that WiFi and V2V can safely co-exist--suffers from some critical flaws, including " failure to consider significant hazards in vehicle safety, inadequate statistical sampling, and evaluating situations that are not representative of automotive safety risks."

Cable operators have been urging the FCC to push ahead with its plans to open up the lower 45 MHz of the 5.9 GHz band for unlicensed use, saying that spectrum is critical for current and future WiFi needs, particularly in a COVID-19 time of social distancing when WiFi helps bridge that physical gap. 

The 5.9 GHz proposal, adopted unanimously last December, is among a number of efforts to clear spectrum for 5G.

The FCC is proposing freeing up the lower 45 MHz exclusively for unlicensed WiFi and the upper 30 MHz for V2V communications, including 20 for C-V2X, which Ford said it agrees with the FCC is the V2V technology of the future.

Related: Highway Officials Say 5.9 GHZ Sharing is Misguided

Ford said that for the upper portion of the 5.9 GHz band to "effectively" support safety ITS (intelligent transport systems) applications it must be free from interference and that the WiFi Alliance--NCTA is a member--claim that Ford is wrong and unlicensed devices won't create adjacent-channel interference is false.

Cable's position, as spelled out in its reply comments, is: "The record confirms that the Commission should reject ITS delay tactics, adopt its proposal to open the lower 45 megahertz of the 5.9 GHz band to unlicensed services, establish reasonable technical rules, and proceed to a final order as soon as possible."

Ford apparently thinks FCC chairman Ajit Pai has a better idea for sharing spectrum. The iconic automaker has come out in favor of Pai's proposal for freeing up the majority of the 5.9 GHz band currently reserved for vehicle-to-vehicle communications for 5G while reserving the rest for V2V. 

NCTA: FCC Should Drive Toward Freeing up V2V Spectrum

Pai is proposing to make the lower 45 MHz of the available for unlicensed use, including WiFi, while reserving the upper 30 MHz for the new Cellular Vehicle to Everything (C-V2X) approach to intelligent vehicle communications. 

That is according to Pai himself, who tweeted that he was grateful for Ford's support: 

[embed]https://twitter.com/AjitPaiFCC/status/1199031617597169665[/embed]

"Extensive testing has shown that CV2X will give people the ability to move more safely and freely than ever before. Via the intended rulemkaing process, the FCC is providing the opportunity for this technology to come to market," wrote Ford president James Hackett. "Without this proceeding, CV2X cannot be deployed. Without this proceeding, innovation is paralyzed. Without this proceeding, the opportunity to realize significant safety benefits is delayed. Triggering a deliberative process to carefully but expeditiously include CV2X as a crash avoidance technology is the appropriate and timely step. It will also mitigate congestion, reduce carbon emissions and lead to widespread socioeconomic benefits."

Ford believes its F-150 line of trucks is as strong as a boxer.

Now, thanks to a newly forged agreement with U.S. Spanish-language broadcast network Azteca, it hopes Latinos in the market for a new vehicle feel the same way while also learning about what it takes to jab and score a knockout punch.

On July 7, Azteca unveiled “Fuerza Ford,” the first installment in a 10-episode webisode series offering a tutorial for would-be boxers. Users can view each episode on Azteca’s website; the network’s Facebook and Twitter feeds are also updated with links for new installments of “Fuerza Ford” as they are made available for viewing.

Ford’s F-150 is featured prominently in every installment — as are Mexican professional boxers Giselle Leal, Edgar Juárez Calzada and Michel de la Vega Esparza Oteo.

The webisodes will offer expert boxing tips, provide an inside look into the fighters’ lifestyles and show how the boxers’ determination, passion and hard work “echo the spirit of a Ford owner,” Azteca said.

“Fuerza Ford” extends Ford’s relationship with Azteca; the automotive company has sponsored the network’s boxing series Box Azteca since 2010.

"Ford is a leader in content marketing for U.S. Latinos, which is why we're so honored to work together on the ‘Fuerza Ford’ boxing video campaign,” Azteca executive vice president of network sales and digital for the U.S. Hispanic market Court Stroud said.

Ford multicultural marketing manager David Rodriguez added: “Ford is proud to partner with Azteca to create a unique co-branded online hub as a source for Hispanic boxing lovers and newcomers alike to come and enjoy extended content beyond the matches in the ring – something we know the audience is passionate about.”

Coral Gables, Fla.-based Zubi Advertising, Ford’s longtime U.S. Hispanic agency of record, assisted in producing the webisodes. The sponsored-content initiative is a natural extension of Ford’s relationship with Azteca, Zubi associate media director Michael Roca told Hispanic Television Update in an interview.

“Given the passion of boxing among Ford’s key Hispanic audiences, the partnership with Azteca America over the years has concentrated on their robust boxing platform, across broadcast and digital channels,” he said. “In an effort to further engage audiences on a personal level, Ford, Zubi and Azteca came up with a concept of a custom digital series of boxing tutorial videos that organically fused in the F-150 ‘Fuerza’ messaging and vehicle attributes. The videos’ objective is to provide a source of ‘Boxing 101’ tips while showcasing the fuerza of the F-150 from a unique perspective.”