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Aviation and Wireless Industries Clash Over Looming 5G C-band Changes

Cellular carriers in some markets are expected to repurpose portions of the C-band frequency spectrum near the frequency band used by safety-critical FAA-certified radio (radar) altimeters. Adobe Stock
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Key Takeaways:

  • U.S. aviation industry leaders and the FAA are concerned that the FCC's planned expansion of 5G cellular networks into the C-band, starting December 5, could cause harmful interference with aircraft radio altimeters, posing significant safety risks.
  • Aviation groups, including Airbus and Boeing, have repeatedly called for the FCC and FAA to collaborate on solutions that allow 5G advancement without compromising aviation safety, warning of potential issues like missed approaches and runway closures.
  • The U.S. wireless industry (CTIA) insists that C-band 5G is safe for aviation, citing its use in nearly 40 countries without reported interference and challenging the aviation community to provide evidence to support their assertions.
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As the Federal Communications Commission nears a planned expansion of radio frequencies available to 5G cellular networks, U.S. aviation industry leaders are expressing concerns about potential safety issues linked to radio (radar) altimeter performance.

Thom Patterson

Thom is a former senior editor for FLYING. Previously, his freelance reporting appeared in aviation industry magazines. Thom also spent three decades as a TV and digital journalist at CNN’s bureaus in Washington and Atlanta, eventually specializing in aviation. He has reported from air shows in Oshkosh, Farnborough and Paris. Follow Thom on Twitter @thompatterson.

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