Boeing And Airbus Ask The US Government To Cancel The Use Of 5G Networks, Here's Their Reason!

The 5G network is said to be a threat to flight safety. (photo credit: pixabay)

JAKARTA - Boeing Chief Executive Dave Calhoun and Airbus Americas CEO Jeffrey Knittel on Monday, December 20, urged the administration of US President, Joe Biden, to delay plans to deploy new 5G wireless services. Both were quoted as saying by Reuters, saying it could jeopardize flight safety.

The executives in a joint letter seen by Reuters asked the US Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg, to support delaying the deployment of 5G wireless spectrum C-Band from AT&T and Verizon by Jan. 5.

"5G interference could adversely affect the aircraft's ability to operate safely," the letter said, adding that it could have a "huge negative impact on the aviation industry."

Industry and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have raised concerns about the potential for 5G interference with sensitive aircraft electronics such as radio altimeters.

The FAA this month issued an airworthiness directive warning 5G disruption could result in flight delays. The agency plans to provide more information before January 5.

The Boeing Airbus letter cites analysis from trade group Airlines for America (A4A) that if the FAA directive on 5G goes into effect in 2019, some 345,000 passenger flights and 5,400 cargo flights will face flight delays, diversions or cancellations.

In response to this, the US Department of Transportation's Office of the Secretary of State did not immediately comment.

In November, AT&T and Verizon, already postponed the commercial rollout of C-band wireless services by one month until January 5 and adopted precautions to limit interference.

The aviation industry group said it wasn't enough. Boeing and Airbus said they were making a counter-proposal that would limit cellular transmission around airports and other critical areas.

United Airlines Chief Executive Scott Kirby said last week that the FAA's 5G directive would ban the use of radio altimeters at some 40 of the country's largest airports.

In contrast, wireless industry group CTIA says 5G is safe and accuses the airline industry of spreading fear and distorting the truth.

The Airline Pilots Association on Monday, December 20 also said that aviation and communications regulators were deadlocked. "That's a huge problem for passengers, shippers, and the American economy," the group said.