US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has issued a warning regarding potential delays for airplanes starting July 1 due to the interference caused by 5G C-Band technology.
Reuters reports that while a significant portion of the domestic fleet serving US airports has been updated to mitigate the interference, a substantial number of aircraft, including those operated by foreign air carriers, still await retrofitting.
This situation could lead to increased delays and cancellations, particularly on days with bad weather and low visibility.
US Upholds 5G Altimeter Refit Deadline
Back in May, the US government decided not to delay the deadline for airlines to refit their planes with new sensors to counter possible 5G interference.
As BBC reported, despite airline concerns about meeting the deadline and potential travel disruptions, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg confirmed that the July 1 cutoff date would remain in place.
Telecoms firms had previously postponed the rollout of 5G to accommodate the aviation industry's adaptation process.
The specific frequency range causing concern, known as the C-Band, is used for 5G in the United States.
Concerns From Aviation Companies
Both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and aviation companies have expressed worries that 5G signals in the C-Band spectrum could interfere with aircraft altimeters, which are crucial for measuring altitude above the ground.
Secretary Buttigieg called airline companies at the time, urging them to work diligently to retrofit their aircraft before the deadline.
In response, Verizon and AT&T voluntarily agreed to postpone certain C-Band 5G usage until July while air carriers worked on retrofitting altimeters.
Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines confirmed that it would not have enough radio altimeters for its entire fleet by July 1, according to information provided by its supplier.
This means approximately 190 Delta narrowbody aircraft, including all A220s, will not be equipped with updated radio altimeters. However, all Delta widebody aircraft will have the necessary updates before the deadline.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA), a trade group representing over 100 airlines operating in and out of the US, has voiced its concerns about the deadline extension denial.
Airlines have also called for 5G signals to be restricted within approximately two miles of affected airport runways, as defined by the FAA. This measure aims to create a buffer zone to minimize the risk of interference.
A Closer Look
While major phone companies, including Verizon and AT&T, have invested significant resources into upgrading their networks for 5G technology, concerns from the aviation industry persist.
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Airlines argue that they are victims of inadequate government planning and coordination, highlighting the substantial financial burden placed upon them to retrofit their planes.
Secretary Buttigieg emphasized that passengers should not suffer the consequences of any airline's inability to equip its aircraft with the necessary technology to operate safely in the 5G C-Band environment.
The FAA and the wireless carriers have been working together to find a balance between the deployment of 5G services and maintaining the integrity of aviation systems.
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