Author: Vicky Romes
AT&T and Verizon have delayed the installation of 5G cellular masts near airports due to warnings from the Federal Communications Commission that they could disrupt navigation systems.
The move comes after concerns were raised that the masts could interfere with aircraft flight operations, despite both companies insisting their deployments meet safety requirements. This latest development has questioned the future of the 5G rollout in the U.S.
5G Usage Delay
Verizon Communications and AT&T have consciously decided to postpone some C-Band 5G usage till July 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration announced. Air carriers seek to adjust aircraft so they won’t meet interference.
The two parties decided in January to postpone some wireless tower activations and deactivations near airports until July 5. According to Verizon, the new agreement would eliminate the voluntary restrictions on installing the 5G network near airports in a phased manner over the following months. It means that even more customers and companies will profit from 5G technology’s potential.
In collaboration with the FAA, AT&T claimed to have created a more specialized method of regulating signal intensity near runways. This makes it possible to turn on more towers and boost signal power. AT&T also noted that it had decided to apply more specific preventative steps so airlines would have more time to make necessary equipment upgrades.
At an FAA conference, the industry trade group Airlines for America reported that it had discovered that the vast majority of its 4,800 aircraft fleet would require retrofitting by July 2023.
Eliminating Disruptions at Key Airports
A few U.S. airports had delays earlier this year due to worries that the 5G service would affect airplane altimeters, which provide information on a plane’s level above the ground and are essential for landing in different weather conditions. The FAA has recently requested airlines to finish modifying some aircraft radio altimeters.
To reduce problems from a 5G wireless rollout, FAA Administrator Billy Nolen asked the heads of major U.S. airlines to act immediately. To prevent any problems at important airports, he requested to install filters on radio altimeters.
According to the FAA, filters and replacement parts for the main commercial aircraft should be accessible systematically. With this plan, the project may finish by July 2023. After that point, the wireless providers anticipate having few restrictions when operating their networks in cities.
The CEOs of the major airlines had issued a “catastrophic” aviation warning. Because of the use of 5G, this catastrophe may have completely stopped all traffic.
The Bottom Line
The future of 5G in the U.S. is still in question. Still, with AT&T and Verizon’s voluntary postponements and the FAA’s preventative measures, the rollout may continue without major disruption. To ensure a smooth transition and protect aviation safety, we must all take action to ensure that radio altimeters are properly equipped and updated. By working together, we can ensure the success of 5G technology and the safety of our airports.