US delays introduction of 5G Internet: Potential risks to aircraft

Stand: 01.01.2022| Study time: 2 minutes

D.The U.S. government is pushing for a slight delay in the launch of high-speed 5G internet for mobile phones because of the potential risks to aviation. Transportation Secretary Pete Boutique and FAA Aviation chief executive Steve Dixon have asked network operators AT&T and Verizon to postpone their scheduled launch on January 5 for a maximum of two weeks. In addition, the so-called C-band – i.e. a specific frequency range – should be controlled around important airports until the end of March so that airports have sufficient time for necessary tests and upgrades.

Boutique and Dixon on Friday threatened “comprehensive and unacceptable interruptions” in air traffic without delay, especially in bad weather and poor visibility. They warned that these could lead to the diversion and cancellation of a number of flights, thus causing a rapid impact on all air traffic.

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The FAA fears that 5G technology could interfere with some aircraft electronics. In particular, the FAA announced shortly before Christmas that the effects on aircraft radio altimeters should be verified. The reason is that the radio frequencies used for 5G in the United States are very close to the frequencies used for aircraft altitudes. Telecommunications companies have the right to use radio frequencies for billions of dollars and rely on them to act quickly.