US aviation authority raises 5G risks days ahead of launch — Analysis

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has revealed it’s in talks with plane producers, airways, and wi-fi service suppliers to scale back the impression of the brand new know-how forward of its deliberate launch on January 19.

In notices to air missions (NOTAMs) printed on Thursday, it said that “plane with untested altimeters, or that want retrofitting or substitute, shall be unable to carry out low-visibility landings the place 5G is deployed.”

Greater than 300 NOTAMs have been launched at 1:00 ET (6:00 GMT) round main airports and areas the place plane are more likely to be in operation, corresponding to hospitals with medical air-transport services.

The FAA has beforehand urged the 5G community might impression delicate plane gear, together with altimeters, however Thursday noticed the company present particular particulars outlining its issues.

As a part of its examination of the wi-fi know-how, the company was supplied with further transmitter location knowledge it says allowed it to ascertain the impression it might have on plane and their means to function.

Approaches at main airports the place 5G has been deployed are regarded as impacted, though the FAA believes some GPS-guided approaches will nonetheless be doable at sure transport hubs.

Addressing the state of affairs, the FAA mentioned it was nonetheless “working to find out which radar altimeters shall be dependable and correct with 5G C-Band deployed,” including that it anticipated “to supply updates quickly concerning the estimated share of economic plane” that might be affected.

Earlier this 12 months, wi-fi service suppliers AT&T and Verizon Communications agreed to implement buffer zones round 50 airports in a bid to scale back the danger of potential interference, and to delay deployment for 2 weeks to permit the aviation authorities to undertake security measures.

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