AT&T and Verizon Delay 5G Launch Near Some Airports Amid Dire Warnings

‘Vast majority’ of the traveling and shipping public will essentially be grounded, say U.S. airline CEOs.

Thom Patterson and Meg Godlewski

Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 02:21 PM ET

Verified

AT&T agreed to delay its plans for deployment of 5G. [File Photo: Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

AT&T and Verizon voluntarily agreed to temporarily delay the rollout of 5G service on specific frequencies near certain airport runways.
This delay follows urgent warnings from U.S. airlines that immediate 5G deployment would cause widespread flight disruptions by potentially interfering with aircraft radio altimeters.
The wireless carriers expressed frustration with the FAA and the aviation industry for what they perceived as a lack of timely planning, noting that 5G operates safely in many other countries.
The temporary agreement aims to protect flight safety and prevent major disruptions while allowing stakeholders to work towards a permanent, workable solution.

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AT&T and Verizon Communications on Tuesday said they would delay rolling out 5G service on newly available frequencies near some airports, a day after U.S. airlines warned of widespread disruptions in air travel.

It’s the latest development in the push and shove between the communications giants and the U.S. aviation industry over a 5G rollout that was originally planned for last month, but delayed until Wednesday.