Airlines warn of a “disaster” if “5G” networks are deployed near...

The heads of major US airlines warned Monday of “catastrophic disruptions” in the transportation and shipping sectors if the fifth generation (5-G) networks for the Internet operate today, as scheduled, without controls for transmitting stations located near American airports. Verizon and AT&T have postponed the launch of the new fifth-generation C-Band service twice due to warnings from airlines and aircraft manufacturers concerned that the new communications system would interfere with devices used by aircraft to measure altimeters. “We are writing to you urgently to request that 5G networks operate everywhere in the country except within approximately two miles of airport runways, as defined by the Federal Aviation Administration on January 19, 2022,” the company chiefs said. The letter addressed to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and government officials warned of an “economic catastrophe” if Verizon and AT&T went ahead with the deployment of the new technology before making the necessary upgrades and changes to flight equipment. “Frankly, it will stop trade in the country completely,” she stressed.

airport insurance

And the Federal Aviation Administration announced on Sunday that it had given its approval to operate some transmitting stations within areas where the fifth generation will be deployed, as “up to 48 of the airports most affected by the interference of 5G C-band frequencies out of 88” have been secured, but the airlines fear that Not covering all airports could cause major disruptions, including stopping thousands of flights, which could halt commercial traffic in the country. In addition to the Secretary of Transportation, the letter addressed the president of the Federal Communications Commission and the White House’s National Economic Council. American airlines protested the costs that might result from the move.

Invitation to “immediate” intervention

The letter called on authorities to “take whatever action is necessary to ensure that 5G is not deployed when towers are in close proximity to airports, until the FAA can determine how to do so safely and without catastrophic disruption.” The letter was signed by the chief executives of the airlines “American”, “United”, “Delta” and “Southwest”, as well as shipping giants “FedEx” and “UPS”. She pointed to the “need for immediate intervention to avoid operational disruptions in passenger transport, freight, supply chains, and the delivery of necessary medical equipment.” “In addition to the chaos that it may cause locally,” she added, the lack of certified aircraft would “leave tens of thousands of Americans stranded abroad.”

alleviating fears

In turn, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a statement, the day before yesterday, apparently seeking to alleviate concerns about the impact of the launch of the fifth generation network on aviation, but it did not announce any concrete next steps in this regard. “The Federal Aviation Administration, which places safety at the center of its mission, will continue to ensure safe travel for the public as wireless Internet companies roll out 5G,” the agency said. “The Federal Aviation Administration continues to work with the aviation industry and wireless internet companies in an effort to reduce flight delays and cancellations associated with 5G,” she added. Verizon and AT&T won contracts worth tens of billions of dollars to operate 5G networks in the 3.7-3.98 GHz frequency bands in the United States last February, and the service was supposed to start on December 5. Unless an agreement is reached with carriers or a federal agency freezes carriers, the nationwide 5G service is set to start on January 19.

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