5G Service Providers In The US Still “War” With Flight Crew, Delay Is The Best Option

5G antennas are still considered a problem for the aviation world in the US. (photo credit: pixabay)

JAKARTA - Intensive discussions between various parties regarding the implementation of new 5G wireless services in the US continue, on Monday, December 3. The talks aim to address the stalemate between US wireless companies and the aviation sector that it claims could significantly disrupt flights from Wednesday, January 5.

As of Sunday, December 2, the chief executives of AT&T and Verizon Communications had emphatically rejected requests to delay the planned introduction of their new 5G wireless service on January 5. They argue that aviation safety issues because 5G technology is unwarranted. However, they also offer a temporary solution by adopting new safeguards.

The aviation industry and the FAA have raised concerns about potential 5G interference with sensitive aircraft electronics such as radio altimeters that could interfere with flights.

AFA-CWA President Sara Nelson, who represents 50,000 commercial flight crews across 17 airlines, urged wireless carriers to agree to a 10-day delay in deployment to complete precautionary measures.

"We hope telecommunications companies are aware of this," Nelson said Monday, December 3 on MSNBC. "We wouldn't have taken off if the flight was a potentially risky one."

According to a Reuters report, the telecom operator declined to comment or respond to the statement because talks were still ongoing with federal agencies.

US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and the head of the Federal Aviation Administration, Steve Dickson, have also asked AT&T CEO John Stankey and Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg on Friday December 31 to delay 5G services by up to two weeks.

The White House on Sunday, December 2, asked the two carriers to agree to a short delay. But a White House spokesman declined to comment on the talks.

The wireless service company last week said it would not deploy 5G around airports for six months but rejected wider limits on using C-Band spectrum. The exclusive zone around the airport is not as big as the FAA would like.

Trade group Airlines for America, which represents American Airlines, FedEx and other carriers, has asked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to halt deployments around many airports, warning thousands of flights could be disrupted every day.

The FAA is preparing to issue a notice detailing flight and airport restrictions due to potential disruption.

The airline group also warned on Monday that the FAA's safety restrictions "would greatly disturb airline passengers and the shipping public."

The 5G wireless carrier, which won spectrum in a government auction worth $80 billion, earlier agreed to a six-month precautionary measure to limit the disruption it might cause.