AT&T, Verizon delay launching their 5G C-band signals until January 5th due to FAA fears of interference
FAA and FCC battle over the use of C-band frequencies to disseminate 5G signals
The draft directive also included airworthiness directives that would have forced airlines to restrict flights in U.S. airspace that require gauges known as radio altimeters that measure the distance between aircraft and the ground. Both the FAA and FCC have been going back and forth over the issue and a coalition of aviation groups was set to make a presentation to White House officials this week, warning that potential FAA restrictions could result in airports and regions of the country being shut down as passengers and shippers suffer from flight cancellations, delays, and diversions.
Before today’s announcement by Verizon and AT&T, the industry’s trade association, the CTIA, tried to warn the public about what could happen if the FAA was able to block the use of C-band for 5G. Meredith Attwell Baker, CTIA president, notes that the C-band is used in 40 countries without creating any harmful interference that could affect the aviation industry. Baker said, “Any delay in activating this spectrum risks America’s competitiveness and jeopardizes our ability to ensure global 5G leadership.”