FAA, Biden administration in talks to prevent disruptions
The Federal Aviation Administration is in talks with the White House after the FAA wrote a letter asking the US government to block any 5G wireless transmission within a two-mile radius of airport runways, citing the potential for thousands of flight cancellations and disruptions.
“Immediate intervention is needed to avoid significant operational disruption to air passengers, shippers, supply chain and delivery of needed medical supplies” such as vaccines, the officials said in the letter, addressed to National Economic Council Director Brian Deese, Federal Communications Commission Chair Jessica Rosenworcel, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and FAA Administrator Steve Dickson.
“The administration is actively engaged with the FAA, FCC, wireless carriers, airlines, and aviation equipment manufacturers to reach a solution that maximizes 5G deployment while protecting air safety and minimizing disruptions to passenger travel, cargo operations, and our economic recovery,” said a White House official on the matter.
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It bears mentioning that the ‘turf war‘ between the FAA and Federal Communications Commission had reportedly come to a close earlier this month, wherein Verizon and AT&T announced that 46 FCC-certified areas would get C-Band 5G, wherein the expected rollout is slated for January 19.
The incumbent 5G system operates at 60MHz, millimeter-wave, and has incredible speed and massive capacity, but it covers very little area. Due to the poor coverage, the touted 5G upgrade has felt incremental to most consumers. This may change with C-Band, wherein the coverage will be closer to existing 4G systems.
The C-Band system targets a radio frequency band between 3.7 and 4.2 GHz, which enhances coverage, but overlaps with the frequencies used by airlines.
It was not immediately clear if a potential agreement would prevent flight disruptions. The FAA over the weekend cleared 45% of the country’s commercial fleet to fly after 5G is deployed, reported CNBC.
