New Delhi, January 24, 2026 – In a significant push towards modernizing India’s road infrastructure and curbing the alarming rate of traffic accidents, the Union government has allocated a dedicated 30 GHz radio spectrum band for Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication technology. Announced by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari during a consultative committee meeting on Friday, this move is poised to lay the foundation for advanced connected safety systems across the nation’s vast network of highways and urban streets. According to an official statement from the Press Information Bureau, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has earmarked this high-frequency spectrum to enable seamless, real-time data exchange between vehicles, marking a crucial step in India’s broader road safety strategy under the “Make in India” and self-reliance initiatives.

This allocation comes at a time when India grapples with one of the world’s highest road fatality rates – over 150,000 deaths annually, as per recent government data. By introducing V2V, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) aims to integrate cutting-edge technology into everyday vehicles, potentially transforming how drivers navigate hazards and interact with their surroundings.

Understanding V2V: The Technology Behind Safer Journeys

At its core, Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication is a wireless technology that allows vehicles to “talk” directly to each other without relying on external infrastructure like cell towers or roadside units in every scenario. It’s a subset of the broader Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) ecosystem, which includes interactions with infrastructure (V2I), pedestrians (V2P), networks (V2N), and more. In V2V, equipped vehicles broadcast and receive critical data packets – such as current speed, position, direction of travel, acceleration, brake status, and even steering angle – up to 10 times per second over short ranges (typically 300-500 meters, extendable in some systems).

This data exchange happens via dedicated radio frequencies, enabling proactive safety alerts. For instance, if a vehicle ahead suddenly brakes hard on a foggy highway or around a blind curve, nearby cars can receive an instant warning, giving drivers precious seconds to react. V2V systems often integrate with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), like automatic emergency braking or lane-keeping assist, to automate responses in critical situations. The technology accounts for terrain, road curvature, and hidden obstacles, making it especially valuable in diverse Indian landscapes – from the winding Himalayan roads to congested urban grids in cities like Mumbai or Delhi.

Technically, V2V operates on two primary standards globally:

-Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC): Based on IEEE 802.11p Wi-Fi protocols, it uses low-latency, ad-hoc networks for direct vehicle links.

-Cellular V2X (C-V2X): Leveraging 4G/5G cellular networks (from 3GPP standards), it offers longer range and better integration with existing telecom infrastructure, often preferred for its scalability.

India’s 30 GHz allocation – a millimeter-wave (mmWave) band typically associated with high-speed 5G – suggests a lean towards C-V2X, promising ultra-low latency (under 1 millisecond) and high data throughput for dense traffic scenarios. This contrasts with lower-frequency bands (like 5.9 GHz) used elsewhere but aligns with India’s 5G rollout ambitions.

Global Footprint: Where V2V is Already Revolutionizing Roads

While India is gearing up for its V2V debut, the technology has been piloted and deployed in several countries for over a decade, primarily to enhance safety and support autonomous driving. Here’s a look at key implementations worldwide:

United States: A pioneer in V2V, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have championed the technology since the early 2010s. In 2012, a large-scale pilot in Ann Arbor, Michigan, involved 2,800 vehicles exchanging Basic Safety Messages (BSMs) to prevent collisions. Automakers like General Motors (GM) introduced V2V in models such as the 2017 Cadillac CTS, while Toyota rolled it out in select vehicles. The U.S. allocates 30 MHz in the 5.895-5.925 GHz band for DSRC-based V2V. Recent developments include USDOT’s $60 million grants in 2024 for deployments in states like Arizona, Texas, and Utah, focusing on intersection safety and emergency vehicle alerts. Studies estimate V2V could prevent up to 439,000 crashes annually, reducing accidents by 13%.

Europe: The European Union has aggressively pursued Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS), with V2V as a cornerstone. Countries like Germany and France lead, where BMW and Volkswagen integrate V2V into premium models for features like blind-spot warnings and platoon driving. Volvo pioneered commercial C-V2X in Denmark in 2016, sending slippery road alerts to drivers, later expanding to accident notifications across Scandinavia. Large-scale projects include France’s SCOOP@F (testing V2V on highways) and the EU-wide C-ROADS initiative, which harmonizes standards across borders. Europe uses 30 MHz in the 5.875-5.905 GHz band for ITS-G5 (a DSRC variant). The EU’s 2010 Directive promotes interoperability, and by 2026, mandates for V2X in new vehicles are expected to boost adoption.

Japan: Toyota became the first to commercialize V2V in 2016 with its ITS Connect system, using DSRC in the 700 MHz and 5.770-5.850 GHz bands. Deployed in models like the Prius and Crown, it warns of right-turn collisions at intersections – a common urban hazard. Japan’s ARIB standards body has supported nationwide pilots, integrating V2V with traffic signals for smoother flow in cities like Tokyo.

China: As a leader in short-range V2X by 2022, China mandates C-V2X in new vehicles, using 20 MHz in the 5.905-5.925 GHz band. Companies like Huawei and Baidu drive deployments in smart cities like Shanghai, where V2V supports autonomous fleets and reduces congestion in megapolises.

Other Regions: South Korea favors C-V2X with 70 MHz in the 5.855-5.925 GHz band, piloting it for highway safety. Australia and Singapore have allocated similar bands for trials, focusing on urban mobility. Emerging markets like Brazil and South Africa are exploring pilots, often adapting U.S. or EU standards.

These global examples demonstrate V2V’s versatility beyond safety, including traffic optimization (e.g., green wave timing at signals) and environmental benefits (e.g., reduced idling in platoons).

Impacts on People: Lives Saved, Costs Incurred, and a Safer Future

For everyday Indians – from cab drivers in bustling metros to truckers on national highways – V2V promises transformative impacts. Primarily, it could drastically cut road accidents by providing “beyond line-of-sight” awareness. The MoRTH estimates that V2V, integrated with ADAS, will alert drivers to hazards like sudden stops or oncoming vehicles at blind spots, even in adverse weather. Global data from NHTSA suggests a 13-80% reduction in certain crash types, potentially saving thousands of lives in India, where human error causes 90% of accidents.

Beyond safety, V2V could ease traffic congestion by enabling cooperative driving, such as adaptive speed adjustments in dense flows, reducing fuel consumption and emissions – a boon for polluted cities. For vulnerable road users, extensions like V2P could warn drivers of pedestrians via smartphone links.

However, challenges loom. The per-vehicle cost, pegged at ₹5,000-₹7,000 by the ministry, might burden budget-conscious buyers, though economies of scale could lower it. A proposed notification will mandate V2V in new vehicles first, followed by retrofitting older ones – a phased approach to ensure widespread adoption. Privacy concerns arise, as vehicles share location data, necessitating robust cybersecurity (e.g., digital certificates in EU systems). Low penetration could limit early benefits, requiring government incentives like subsidies or tax breaks.

Experts warn of technical hurdles: India’s diverse vehicle mix (from two-wheelers to heavy trucks) demands inclusive standards, and the 30 GHz band’s short range might need hybrid low/high-frequency setups for rural areas. Security risks, like hacking or spoofing messages, must be addressed through encryption and authentication protocols.

Looking Ahead: A Roadmap for Implementation

The MoRTH is fast-tracking a regulatory framework, with standards and rollout expected by year-end. Officials highlight that V2V will complement existing initiatives like FASTag and Bharat NCAP safety ratings. Partnerships with automakers (e.g., Tata, Mahindra) and telecom giants (e.g., Reliance Jio, Airtel) will be key, potentially creating jobs in tech manufacturing.

As Minister Gadkari noted, this spectrum allocation reinforces India’s self-reliance in automotive tech, positioning the country alongside global leaders. If successful, V2V could not only save lives but also propel India towards a connected, autonomous mobility era – where roads are smarter, journeys safer, and accidents a rarity. For a nation on the move, this is more than spectrum; it’s a spectrum of hope. DeshBharat