French Airports May Offer Ideas to Fix the 5G Mess

As aviation struggles with wireless companies over 5G, here’s how other countries handle it.

Thom Patterson

Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at 03:39 PM ET

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France requires more robust restrictions on 5G infrastructure near airports. [Photo: FLYING]

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. aviation industry and FAA express significant safety concerns that 5G C-band frequencies could interfere with aircraft radio altimeters, potentially causing flight disruptions and "catastrophic" consequences, leading wireless carriers to delay deployment around key airports.
While wireless companies argue 5G operates safely near airports in other countries, the FAA highlights critical differences in foreign deployments, such as lower power levels, specific antenna configurations, and larger airport buffer zones compared to U.S. plans.
Expert opinions on the actual safety risk are divided, with some finding insufficient data to suggest a problem, while a 2020 report warned of a "major risk"; temporary buffer zones and altimeter approvals are currently in place as a permanent solution is pursued.

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The messy struggle between the U.S. aviation industry and wireless giants AT&T (NYSE:T) and Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) on how to deploy 5G cellphone service on newly available frequencies continues to create fallout and questions.

Some of the questions surround AT&T’s contention that other countries have safely deployed 5G wireless service around airports without disrupting aviation.