Firestorm Over 5G

Major US airlines and the FAA warn that 5G technology could ground planes in a "catastrophic" aviation crisis.

There’s a controversy afoot regarding the safety of fifth generation wireless technology (5G) and airplanes that's pitting airlines and an arm of the Federal Government against the nation's largest telecommunications companies. Aviation officials worry the new cellular frequencies that telecom companies are activating could interfere with altimeters, the aircraft instrument that helps pilots determine their altitude, potentially throwing off readings the devices take and thereby endangering planes. The 5G service operates in a frequency known as the C-band, which is close to the airwaves the altimeters use. How big a problem is this? Well, it’s pretty big if you consider the ubiquitous nature of these devices and their users' ever-increasing demand for faster service.

Travelers everywhere depend on their smartphones to stay connected before, during and after their flights

Smartphone and cellphone use is at an all-time high in the US. Across the nation, more and more people depend on their smartphones to communicate, stay connected, and be informed on a daily basis. Current research shows there are more than 294 million smartphone users in the country. No less that 85 per cent of American adults use smartphones and about 47 per cent of Web traffic in the country originates from mobile devices. The number of Americans who own a smartphone has increased by 50% since 2011, when just 35% of Americans were smartphone owners. The global smartphone industry is expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 16.4 per cent. In 2018 the market was valued at $520.3 billion. Now, current projections predict that the industry will reach $2,297.8 billion by the end of this year! And as the market continues to grow, consumers are demanding better service which very often centers around speed. Enter 5G technology.

5G network improvements will have far-reaching impacts on how people live, work, and play throughout the world.

As background, wireless communications systems use radio frequencies (also known as spectrum) to carry information through the air. 5G operates in the same way, but uses higher radio frequencies that are less cluttered. This will allow it to carry more information at a much faster rate. This technology will support the remote control of critical services. It will advance autonomous driving, the Internet of things, personal communications, and the way our businesses work in terms of accessing, storing, sharing and protecting data. It will also impact Artificial Intelligence and augmented reality. Fundamentally, the way in which we communicate, connect and share data is set to change with the revolution that we call 5G. The potential impact of the technology and innovation behind 5G goes much further than boosting the bars on our iPhone. This generation encompasses the whole spectrum of new technology, infrastructure and mobile connectivity. It is set to revolutionize the way and the speed at which we communicate. It will distinctly change our ability to share information and will touch every sector in every industry.

Powerful 5G wireless networks that quickly transfer large volumes of data will enable machines to communicate.

This past year, the many years of research and development in the 5G space really played out. 5G felt like more of a tangible reality when companies like Apple and Samsung, as well as the telecom giants that support them like AT&T, Verizon, Nokia and other cellular networks, began to develop and utilize 5G networks. This past year was the first time we were able to look down at our cellphones, see a 5G network, and experience its speed and efficiency. This will only continue to grow as the networks are brought to fruition across the country and across the globe. Sounds great, so what’s the problem? Apparently, there is a major risk that 5G telecommunications systems will cause harmful interference to radar altimeters on all types of civil aircraft—including commercial transport airplanes; business, regional, and general aviation aircraft; and both transport and general aviation helicopters.

The FAA is working to ensure radio signals from new US activated wireless systems coexist safely with all aircraft.

It will likely take "years" to permanently address airplane interference issues caused by the deployment of 5G wireless in the C-band, a group representing major US passenger and cargo carriers told US lawmakers on February 10. Nick Calio, who heads Airlines for America, told a House Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee in written testimony that the 5G issues facing the aviation industry should have been avoided. Verizon and AT&T in January agreed to delay deploying some 5G wireless towers near airports after the aviation industry and the FAA warned that 5G interference can impact sensitive airplane electronics like radio altimeters. The FAA said a few weeks ago it had cleared twenty altimeter models and approved 90 per cent of the US commercial fleet for landing in low-visibility approaches in areas with C-Band 5G. But 5G has been known to impact some flights in poor weather, especially regional jets.

The House of Representatives has conducted hearings via subcommittee regarding 5G rollout and aviation safety.

Aerospace Industries Association President Eric Fanning told lawmakers that progress is being made on the problem but it is not yet solved. “With many outstanding questions still on the table, there are disruptions in our future, even with further compromise and collaboration,” he testified.The hearing also featured testimony from recently-retired FAA Administrator Steve Dickson, as well as Meredith Attwell Baker, chief executive officer of CTIA, a trade association representing the US wireless communications industry.

Around the globe, other countries are using lower power levels and restricting 5G antenna placement near airfields.

But, it’s business as usual in Europe, where the latest generation of high speed mobile networks is being rolled out without a hitch. "The technical data received from European Union manufacturers offers no conclusive evidence for immediate safety concerns at this time," their Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) recently reported. "At this time, EASA is not aware of any in-service incidents caused by 5G interference," added the regulator, which oversees civil aviation in thirty-one European countries. The aviation industry here though is worried that US 5G service is too close to the spectrum used by radar altimeters, which is between 4.2 and 4.4 GHz. Europe does not face the same risk, according to the industry, because there is a much larger buffer between the spectrum used by radar altimeters and 5G.

In the United States, differences of opinion over the risk posed by 5G have evolved into a bitter public dispute involving Federal regulators as well as aviation and telecom companies. Major carriers including British Airways, Lufthansa and Emirates had canceled flights to the United States, citing initial concerns. US-bound flights on those carriers resumed once AT&T and Verizon both announced they would delay activating 5G on some towers around certain airports. Meanwhile, the debate continues.

Until next time…safe travels.