The dispute over the safety of 5G C-band signals near airports will linger past the summer deadline for reaching a solution. That’s according to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. He told the Senate Appropriations Committee last Thursday that dialogue between all parties is encouraging, and AT&T and Verizon agreed.
Buttigieg said a possible technological fix to concerns about potential interference to airplane radio altimeters from 5G operations by Verizon and AT&T remains “a top concern,” reported CNET. He told lawmakers he’ll continue to keep a close eye on interference concerns. The inter-agency dispute pitted the FAA, the airline industry, and the Transportation Department against the FCC and wireless carriers. The White House got involved as well at the last minute. It resulted in flight cancellations in January and twice delayed 5G rollouts for the carriers, Inside Towers reported.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) asked whether to expect future disruptions when the voluntary agreement by the FAA, the FCC, the Transportation Department and carriers expires in July. The deal restricts 5G signals near certain airports. Meanwhile, the FAA has been working with equipment manufacturers and airlines to identify problematic altimeters and mitigate any issues.
Buttigieg tried to allay fears of further flight disruptions by highlighting the collaboration happening among wireless carriers and the FAA to ensure 5G can coexist safely with air travel. “We’re in a much better place than we were in December and January,” Buttigieg said, according to CNET.
Buttigieg acknowledged that the technological fix to the problem won’t be solved by this summer and that there’s more work to be done. However, he’s optimistic about heading off future conflict “largely because we have much better dialogue and collaboration, not just among regulators but among industries.” The Transportation Department and the FAA and “have been directly engaging with the airlines, the aviation equipment manufacturers and with the telecom carriers to make sure that we’re on a better path.”
The carriers echo that optimism that the airline and wireless industries will continue to work together until the technical issues are worked out, without major disruption to air travel or 5G service. “We continue to work closely and collaboratively with the FAA, and we are encouraged by the progress made thus far. We expect that progress to continue,” said AT&T Director of Corporate Communications Alex Byers.
Verizon stated that it’s “very encouraged by the collaboration and pace in which the FAA, the FCC, and the airline and communications industries have addressed and cleared issues with 5G networks around many airports.” Verizon said it’s “highly confident that the small and declining number of outstanding questions will be resolved sooner than later, without a significant impact to airline operations or the availability of 5G at airports.”
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
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