Among the multitude of debates that surrounded the launch of 5G at the end of 2021, one in particular raised many concerns. At that time, a warning from the FAA, the US federal civil aviation regulatory agency, caused a lot of ink to flow. According to the latter, 5G poses risks to passenger safety by interfering with aircraft piloting tools.
The problem is not an isolated case. Shortly after this announcement, Airbus and Boeing both called for delaying the deployment of 5G, especially within airports. Supported by the FAA, the aeronautical industry wins its case. The FCC agrees to ban 5G in airports until July 2023, the time for manufacturers to update the equipment within their planes and thus prevent interference.
The aviation industry does not want 5G in airports
Nevertheless, this first victory is not enough for the representatives of civil aviation. Indeed, Aviation Spectrum Resources, Inc. (ASRI), a spokesperson for many players in the sector, has just sent a letter to the FCC with a very explicit request: to extend the ban on 5G in airports ad vitam æternam, in order to permanently ensure the safety of passengers on commercial flights.
Related: 5G Smartphones Are Now More Popular Than 4G Smartphones, It’s Official
This ban “would not appear to compromise real-world use cases for wireless operators while further ensuring aviation safety and providing a workable RF environment against which future radio altimeters can be designed and built”, argues ASRI in the document. The FCC said negotiations are ongoing. It is difficult at this time to predict their conclusions.
Source: CNET