Uncertain whether the "C-band" signals used in the new 5G service are potentially interfering with critical aircraft instruments, major international airlines scrambled to adjust or cancel flights to the United States on Jan. 18. Despite security assurances from federal telecommunications regulators and wireless carriers, Emirates, Air India, All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa and British Airways have all adjusted their flights, particularly for Boeing 777 aircraft. Currently, cell phone operators, federal agencies, airlines and aircraft manufacturers are working to reach an agreement on how to deal with policies for 5G rollout.
U.S. 5G deployment could interfere with aircraft systems
Earlier, the Federal Aviation Administration warned that because the "C-band" 5G signal near some airports is close to the frequency used by the aircraft's radio altimeter, it may interfere with the readings, causing a catastrophic crisis. The device uses radio signals to measure altitude from ground throughout the flight, providing data for safety and navigation systems and is considered critical flight equipment. If the radio altimeter is interfered with, it will limit the aircraft's ability to land in low-visibility weather, diverting the aircraft off the runway, which could lead to the delay or cancellation of about 1,000 flights per day, affecting 100,000 passengers. On January 17, the CEOs of 10 U.S. airlines asked the Biden administration to intervene in the U.S. 5G plan, which was scheduled to operate and roll out on Jan. 19, in a letter to the White House.
After airlines asked Biden to intervene, AT&T and Verizon announced on Jan. 18 that they were voluntarily delaying 5G antenna upgrades near certain airports while continuing negotiations to find a permanent solution. The Biden administration welcomed the delay, stating: "The agreement will avoid potentially disruptive disruption to passenger travel, cargo operations and economic recovery, while allowing more than 90 percent of wireless towers (outside airports) to be deployed as planned." Airlines also appreciate this. The companies have twice delayed the rollout of 5G and agreed to the construction of a temporary buffer zone near the airport.
Both communications companies expressed disappointment with the delay, with AT&T spokesman Megan Ketterer saying: "Nearly 40 countries have safely deployed 5G technology without impacting aviation services, and the U.S. also has two years to plan for the launch of 5G services, we are frustrated that the FAA cannot do it, and we urge the resolution of the problem as soon as possible." Last month, the Wireless Communications and Internet Society (CTIA) accused the aviation industry of "scaring people" and warned that delaying the introduction of 5G would cause real economic damage.
Emirates said in its statement that "we are working closely with aircraft manufacturers and relevant authorities to alleviate operational concerns and hope to resume service in the U.S. as soon as possible." Other airlines such as Virgin Atlantic, Air France KLM Group said they were closely monitoring the situation, although no flights were cancelled.
The U.S.'s unique 5G dilemma?
How 5G is rolled out varies from country to country, with mobile operators in nearly 40 countries in Europe and Asia currently using C-band 5G networks and never reporting that radio altimeters are affected. The European Aviation Safety Agency issued a statement on December 17, 2021, saying that the controversy over the so-called "5G band interference" is limited to the US aviation community, and "at this stage, Europe has not found any unsafe interference risk." In the European Union, for example, the network operates at a lower frequency than the U.S. vendor plans to use, reducing the risk of interference, and 5G base stations can operate at lower power. In France, there are so-called "buffer zones" around airports that limit 5G signals, and antennas must be tilted downwards to prevent potential interference.
Although the Federal Aviation Administration has established temporary buffer zones around 50 airports to limit the activities of 5G suppliers, these buffer zones are much smaller than in France, and signal transmitters in the United States operate at higher power levels. The airlines insisted that this was not enough, claiming that within two miles of the affected airport, the 5G network should not be activated at all. The Federal Aviation Administration is currently determining which altimeters can be safely used in areas where 5G has been deployed, and which airports can use GPS systems instead of wireless altimeters to guide approaching aircraft.
News and image credits: BBC, CNN, TheVerge, USA Today
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