Why airlines are struggling with 5G deployment

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activation AT&T and Verizon’s C-band frequencies mean improved 5G network Now available to millions of Americans. The long-awaited deployment began on Jan. 19, with one caveat: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and multiple airlines have temporarily delayed near certain airports after they criticized 5G repeaters for affecting airline radio altimeters 5G network plan.

AT&T and Verizon’s C-band frequencies are mostly between 3.7 and 3.98 GHz; airlines are concerned that these mid-frequency waves could affect the radio altimeters pilots use to see how far planes are from the ground.recent Statement from United Airlines “When deployed next to a runway, 5G signals could interfere with critical safety equipment that pilots rely on for takeoffs and landings in inclement weather.”

Two days before 5G rollout, trade group American Airlines sent a letterSigned by the CEOs of major airlines to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and others urging them to intervene within 2 miles of airports and halt the implementation of 5G that other countries have demanded in their own 5G deployments.

When AT&T and Verizon delayed 5G at airports by six months, the companies emphasized the autonomy of their decisions. In a statement to WIRED, an AT&T spokesperson said: “We voluntarily agreed to temporarily delay the opening of a limited number of towers around certain airport runways as we continue to work with the aviation industry and the FAA to provide more information about our 5G deployment because they didn’t take advantage of the two years they had to responsibly plan this deployment.”

Verizon’s similar comments The focus on the situation is how the company “voluntarily decided” to suspend the rollout and put the blame on the FAA and airlines for not being ready to handle 5G frequencies, “even though it is safe and fully operational in more than 40 other countries. of.”

For their part, the FAA is trying to figure out which radio altimeters will no Affected by 5G deployment.Boeing 787 operators already The FAA recommends Take extra precautions during storms. If necessary, the aircraft can be retrofitted with an improved altimeter to assist landings in low visibility conditions.

According to a press release from the FAA, “The agency has approved two radio altimeter models for installation on a variety of Boeing and Airbus aircraft. The combination of aircraft and altimeter approval is at the 88 most vulnerable to 5G C-band interference. As many as 48 of the directly impacted airports have opened runways.” The Boeing 777, which is widely used by U.S. and global airlines, is not yet on the FAA’s list of approved aircraft types.

President Joe Biden issue a statement Thanks to AT&T and Verizon for the delay. “The agreement will avoid potentially disruptive disruptions to passenger travel, cargo operations and our economic recovery, while allowing more than 90% of wireless tower deployments to proceed as scheduled,” it said.

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