Verizon 5G technology just got activated, alongside AT&T 5G, despite numerous warnings about potential problems with airplanes and air travel in general.
A man stands in front of the Verizon logo at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona on February 25, 2019. - Phone makers will focus on foldable screens and the introduction of blazing fast 5G wireless networks at the world's biggest mobile fair starting February 25 in Spain as they try to reverse a decline in sales of smartphones.
According to Gizmodo, Verizon's decision to go through with their plans for 5G technology will be the first time that "true 5G speeds" will be experienced by their customers. However, they'll have to make some compromises after facing opposition from aviation authorities like the FAA.
For instance, Verizon will have to temporarily limit their 5G deployment around airports. This basically restricts access to the new wireless tech to only specific streets in certain parts of a handful of major cities in the US.
According to FierceWireless, the limitations will stay in place until specific issues regarding aviation services are resolved. However, Verizon also called out the FAA and airline companies "for not yet resolving the issue," despite the wireless technology reportedly being fully operational in over 40 countries worldwide.
As for AT&T 5G, they turned their own network on as well, though on a relatively smaller scale than that of Verizon's. However, they did provide a list of the specific US cities where their mid-band network will be implemented first.
A man walks with an umbrella outside of AT&T corporate headquarters on March 13, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. AT&T is allowing employees to work remotely from home if they have the ability to do so, as a safety measure due to COVID-19.
These are as follows: Austin, Chicago, Dallas Ft. Worth, Detroit, Houston, Jacksonville, Orlando, and South Florida.
The aforementioned cities will serve as the first few, as the mobile industry giant promises to cover a total of 1,700 cities all around the United States this January. This will reportedly serve 90 million customers.
AT&T has also expressed its frustration at the FAA, which they say "failed" to use the last two years to plan for the deployment of 5G technology without disrupting critical services, reports The Verge.
For now, all those who live where 5G wireless tech will be first fully implemented will get access to wireless technology whose download speeds allegedly top 500 Mbps, and sometimes even go past 1 GBps.
Read Also: Is Your Phone 5G Ready? Here's How to Know
What To Know About Verizon 5G And AT&T 5G Implementations
According to CBS News, there are multiple things people will need to do before they access 5G. First off, a 5G-enabled device with a mobile plan that offers 5G access is required. Fortunately, any smartphone or mobile device bought last year will have 5G support out of the box.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 24: The new line of iPhone 13's are displayed at the Fifth Avenue Apple Store during the launch of the phones on September 24, 2021 in New York City. The new phones come equipped with a A15 Bionic chip, improved dual-camera system and longer battery life than the iPhone 12. The iPhone 13 Mini starts at $729, and the iPhone 13 starts at $829.
Here's a list of the devices which will work with both AT&T and Verizon's 5G networks:
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All Apple iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 models
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Samsung's Galaxy S21 series, including the S21 FE 5G
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Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Fold 3
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Galaxy A13 5G
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All 5G-capable iPad models
Is 5G Even Really Troublesome To Airplanes?
According to warnings issued by the FAA, 5G's C-band (which helps 5G expand its overall coverage and speeds) has the potential to interfere with radio altimeters.
An airplane flying above Liverpool's John Lennon Airport, 05 January 2007, on the day that British Environment Minister Ian Pearson said that budget airline Ryanair was the "irresponsible face of capitalism". The European Commission proposed last month to set carbon dioxide emission quotas starting in 2011, airlines will be asked to pay for exceeding their current level of emissions.
VOX writes that these altimeters, which are instruments that tell how high off the ground aircraft are, might not work properly with C-band already activated. Apparently, the dangers are pronounced enough that multiple flight cancellations in airports close to 5G antennas were reported recently.
Check back here at Tech Times for more updates on this story.
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Written by RJ Pierce
