The US authorities have asked telecommunications operators AT&T Y Verizon delayed by up to two weeks their already postponed launch of 5G networks, amid the uncertainty about possible interference with security equipment from vital flight.
The commissioning of the technology of mobile bandwidth High-speed train, initially scheduled for December 5, had already been postponed and was due to take place on January 5. But European aircraft manufacturers Airbus and American Boeing recently expressed “concern” about possible 5G interference with radio altimeters, the devices that planes use to measure altitude.
The secretary of United States Transportation, Pete Buttigieg, and the head of the Federal Aviation AdministrationSteve Dickson made their request in a letter sent Friday to AT&T and Verizon, two of the nation’s largest telecommunications operators.
The official letter asked the companies to “continue to pause the introduction of the commercial C-band service,” the frequency range used for 5G, “for a short additional period of no more than two weeks after the implementation date. currently scheduled for January 5. “
The companies did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
US officials assured companies that the 5G service will be able to go live “as planned in January, with certain exceptions around priority airports.”
In this regard, they said that their priority has been “to protect the safety of flights, while ensuring that the deployment of 5G and aviation operations can safely coexist.”
Last February, Verizon and AT&T received authorization to begin using the 3.7 to 3.8 GHz frequency bands on December 5, after obtaining licenses worth tens of billions of dollars. But after the concern of Airbus Y Boeing Due to possible interference, the launch date was delayed until January.
The FAA requested more information about the instruments and issued directives limiting the use of altimeters in certain situations, prompting airlines concerns about the potential costs.
When Verizon and AT&T wrote to federal authorities in November to confirm their intention to begin implementing 5G in January, they said they would take additional precautions beyond those required by US law until July 2022, while the FAA completes its investigation.
The conflict between 5G networks and aircraft equipment led French authorities in February to recommend that passengers turn off their mobile phones with this technology on airplanes.
Reference-www.eleconomista.com.mx