Does the 5G hype need to stop? This new FAA rule means 5G interference in airports may lead to flight delays.

Many wireless carriers tell us how the 5G network is the best, fastest, and most reliable. Some even run commercials that show how life-changing the 5G network is. 

However, if you think about it, is 5G really the best and most reliable nowadays? Or is the hype just there as part of wireless carriers’ marketing tactics―that in reality, the 5G network is still a long way from being the “best?” 

Early this December, wireless carriers Verizon and AT&T hoped new swaths of C-band cellular radio spectrum would make the 5G hype closer to reality. However, there were speculations that the big mid-band rollout might have a side effect, especially in aviation. 

Technically speaking, airplanes rely on radio altimeters to help pilots identify how high they are above the ground and to help them safely land in areas with low visibility. The thing is, with 5G signals’ interference in these areas, the situation might be compromised. This led to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) instructing over 6,000 pilots to avoid landing on certain airports because of 5G spectrums. 

On December 7, 2021, the FAA ruled that thousands of US planes and helicopters won’t be able to use the guided and automatic landing systems installed in airports where there’s deemed to be enough 5G interference. According to the agency, these interferences make the radio altimeters that aircraft rely on unreliable. 

In the words of FAA spokesman Lynn Lunsford, 

“Landings during periods of low visibility could be limited due to concerns that the 5G signal could interfere with the accuracy of an airplane’s radio altimeter, without other mitigations in place.” 

The likely result of this? 

Flight delays… and diversions. 

According to the FAA, the limitations caused by the conflict between 5G spectrums and radio altimeters could prevent the dispatch of flights to some locations with poor visibility. These could result in flight diversions as pilots would need to look for other airports with better visibility and more stable landing systems. 

Verizon and AT&T’s Response 

To show their willingness to cooperate with the FAA in resolving the issue, Verizon and AT&T agreed in November to push back the launch of the C-band to January 2022 and limit the power of 5G towers for 6 months. The FAA remained unconvinced despite wireless carriers and the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) saying there isn’t a valid reason to fear 5G interference. 

The aviation industry’s lobbying group, the Aerospace Industries Association, also backed the FAA by sending a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and suggesting that both Verizon and AT&T’s proposed 5G power limits don’t go far enough for safety. 

But! 

It’s not yet a lost cause between the two parties. According to the FAA’s written statement last December 7, 2021, the agency believes the expansion of 5G and aviation can safely co-exist. Both parties just need to find ways and come to terms on how to settle the interference issue once and for all. 

“We are engaged with wireless operators, as well as our interagency partners, to do everything possible to make sure the mitigations are tailored to prevent disruptions.”  

The FAA’s Newly Issued Ruling 

The FAA has issued two airworthiness directives (AD) to provide a framework and gather more information on how to avoid the potential effects of 5G on aviation safety equipment. The agency is working on this with the FCC and wireless carriers. With ongoing collaborations, all parties involved believe they will reach their shared goals and make progress towards safely implementing the 5G expansion. 

In the FAA’s newly issued ruling, wireless broadband deployment will be allowed to operate in 46 markets starting January 5, 2022. The FCC defines these markets as Partial Economic Areas (PEAs) 1-4, 6-10, 12-19, 21-41, and 43-50. 

The FAA also issued a Special Airworthiness Bulletin to provide information about possible interference from 5G C-band wireless transmissions and how to avoid them. 

The ruling gives airlines and pilots an out for as long as they can prove that their airplanes have altimeters that are protected or resistant to the 5G interference. 

As of now, it’s not yet clear which specific airports might restrict low visibility flights. However, you can think that they’re highly likely in the same places where carriers are deploying mid-band 5G. In other words, they’re most likely in the US’ most populated cities. The FAA is yet to issue notices for specific airports. 

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While it’s true that C-band 5G and airports’ radio altimeters don’t operate in the same band, the fear lies in the fact that these bands are close enough with one another that interference may occur. 

One possible solution to this issue is to set up a band filter for those altimeters. Still, organizations like the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) warn that it might take a few more years to certify these filters and retrofit all the planes. 

We hope the FCC, FAA, and wireless carriers will come to an agreement and settle this issue in the near future. I believe doing so will benefit not only the aviation industry and travelers but also the telecommunications industry and many consumers in the long run. 

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