FAA has 'deep concern' about 5G network plan on aviation safety --
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[October 30, 2021] By
David Shepardson
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) has raised significant concerns about a plan to use
spectrum for 5G wireless networks on aviation safety and is planning to
issue a formal warning about the issue, according to sources and a
letter seen by Reuters.
The aviation industry has voiced alarm about the plan to use C-Band
spectrum for more than a year. Network carriers are expected to begin
using the spectrum starting Dec. 5 starting in 46 markets.
FAA Deputy Administrator Bradley Mims in a previously unreported Oct. 6
letter said the agency shares "the deep concern about the potential
impact to aviation safety resulting from interference to radar altimeter
performance from 5G network operations in the C band."
An FAA spokeswoman said Friday it "continues to engage with other
agencies so that aviation and the newest generation of 5G cellular
technology can safely coexist."
The Federal Communications Commission said Friday it remains committed
to ensuring air safety as the agency’s successful track record
demonstrates, while moving forward with the deployment of new
technologies that support American business and consumer needs."
The FAA held a lengthy Oct. 14 meeting with the aviation industry on the
issue. FAA and FCC officials have held numerous discussions about the
issue, the sources said.
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A passenger jet lifts off at Reagan National Airport, with the
control tower seen at lower right, in Washington February 28, 2013.
REUTERS/Gary Cameron
The FAA is planning to soon issue a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin
and an airworthiness directive about the issue, two officials told Reuters,
confirming a Wall Street Journal report.
The aerospace and airline sector met with the FCC in August, warning without
changes "major disruptions to use of the National Airspace System can be
expected from the rollout of 5G" and added the FAA will be forced to
"drastically reduce aviation operational capacity."
Wireless trade group CTIA said Friday 5G networks can safely use C-band spectrum
"without causing harmful interference to aviation equipment," and cited numerous
active 5G networks using this spectrum band in 40 countries... Any delay in
activating this spectrum risks America’s competitiveness."
One longer-term solution is retrofitting some altimeters with "out-of-band
filters," but it would likely take years and "many thousands of civil aircraft
are likely to be impacted, the aviation industry said.
(Reporting by David Shepardson)
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