More 5G C-band signals from Verizon and AT&T can now be deployed near airports
Verizon’s C-band signal covers more than 100 million people in the U.S.
Mid-band signals are just what U.S. carriers need to finish building out their 5G networks. That’s because they travel farther than mmWave, aren’t blocked by structures like mmWave, and can reach more customers than mmWave. While they can’t offer download speeds of 1Gbps or more (yes, like mmWave), they do deliver average download speeds in the range of 300GHz-400GHz which is faster than the low band 5G services that are prevalent from coast-to-coast.
Over the last week or so, Verizon and AT&T released more specific information to the FAA including the location of their wireless transmitters while also sending data that included a more “thorough analysis of how 5G C-band signals interact with sensitive aircraft instruments.”
“This will enable the wireless providers to safely turn on more towers as they deploy new 5G service in major markets across the United States,” the spokesman added. The deal made earlier this month between the FAA, Verizon, and AT&T required that the latter two carriers refrain from turning on 500 towers located near airports which works out to less than 10% of the firm’s 5G towers.
Last week, the FAA approved 90% of requests from commercial aircraft to perform low-visibility landings at airports where some 5G towers are located. That is up from the 78% of such landings that were approved last week.
Verizon’s C-band service covers more than 100 million people in 1,700-plus cities around the nation. AT&T is taking a slower approach with the service available in only eight metro areas in the U.S. Even if you’re a Verizon or AT&T customer in the middle of an area where their new C-band 5G signals are available, you must have a device that supports 5G and the specific C-band frequencies.
Which Verizon and AT&T phones can now access C-band 5G?
While today’s announcement indicates that more Verizon and AT&T customers will soon be able to access mid-band 5G signals from their respective wireless provider, it appears as though both sides are getting closer to coming up with a solution that will allow 5G signals and airline flights to co-exist without fear that pilots will not be able to use the altimeters on the airplanes they are flying.
The iPad models supporting C-band 5G from Verizon include the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (5th-gen), 11-inch iPad Pro (3rd-gen), and the iPad mini 6.
The AT&T handsets that work with the C-band include the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, Apple iPhone 13 Pro, Apple iPhone 13, Apple iPhone 13 mini, Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max, Apple iPhone 12 Pro, Apple iPhone 12, Apple iPhone 12 mini, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, Samsung Galaxy S21+, Samsung Galaxy S21, Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3, Samsung Galaxy A13 5G, Google Pixel 6, and the Google Pixel 6 Pro.
