5G spectrum could disrupt aircraft electronics, aviation giants fear
(photo: CC0 Public Domain)
The bosses of the two largest aircraft manufacturers in the world – Boeing и Airbus – called on the US government to postpone the launch of new 5G phone services, which is scheduled for early January.
In a letter he reported BBC, senior executives at Boeing and Airbus have warned that the technology could have a “huge negative impact on the aviation industry.” The note comes as a continuation of previously expressed fears that the wireless 5G C-Band spectrum could interfere with aircraft electronics.
The American telecommunications giants are determined to launch their 5G services on the iconic date of January 5.
“5G disruptions could adversely affect aircraft’s ability to operate safely,” Boeing and Airbus Americas chiefs Dave Calhoun and Jeffrey Knittel said in a joint letter to US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigig.
Like the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the two have concerns about potential interference with 5G equipment that could cause sensitive aircraft electronics, such as radio altimeters.
“Airbus and Boeing are working with other US aviation stakeholders to find out what the potential 5G interference with radio altimeters could be,” an Airbus statement said. “We have sent a proposal to the US Department of Transportation to… mitigate potential risks.”
The FAA, for its part, issued airworthiness directives this month, warning that 5G disruptions could lead to flight deviations. The association promised to provide more information before the introduction date – January 5.
But the US wireless industry group CTIA said 5G was a safe technology and accused the aviation industry of instilling fear and distorting facts.
“The delay will cause real damage. Delaying implementation for a year will cost us $ 50 billion in economic growth, just as our nation is recovering from the pandemic, “CTIA CEO Meredith Atwell Baker said in a blog post last month.
