5G news - latest: Rollout delayed as airlines fear flights will be severely affected by new technology
Wireless telecom giant AT&T announced the activation of 5G towers near some US airports would be delayed after airlines warned of “catastrophic disruption” of flights.
A day before AT&T is due to switch on its 5G towers, the company blasted the Federal Aviation Administration after airline CEOs asked the Biden administration warning the launch on Wednesday could cause thousands of flight cancellations affecting more than 100,000 passengers.
‘We are frustrated by the FAA’s inability to do what nearly 40 countries have done, which is to safely deploy 5G technology without disrupting aviation services, and we urge it do so in a timely manner,’ AT&T officials said in a statement on Tuesday.
The high-speed 5G internet uses so-called C-band frequencies close to those used by aircraft to measure their altitude, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warning potential interference could affect sensitive airplane instruments such as altimeters and significantly hamper low-visibility operations.
Follow live updates below
Top Posts
AT&T delays switching on 5G near airports after airlines warn of ‘catastrophic disruption’
Watch: Pilots association slams 5G launch as ‘reckless’
BREAKING: AT&T delays switching on 5G near airports after airlines warn of ‘catastrophic disruption’
18:49 , Justin Vallejo
Wireless telecom giant AT&T announced the activation of 5G towers near some US airports would be delayed after airlines warned of “catastrophic disruption” of flights near certain airports.
A day before AT&T is due to switch on its 5G towers, the company blasted the Federal Aviation Administration after airline CEOs asked the Biden administration warning the launch on Wednesday could cause thousands of flight cancellations affecting more than 100,000 passengers.
‘We are frustrated by the FAA’s inability to do what nearly 40 countries have done, which is to safely deploy 5G technology without disrupting aviation services, and we urge it do so in a timely manner,’ AT&T officials said in a statement on Tuesday.
Watch: Pilots association slams 5G launch as ‘reckless’
19:06 , Justin Vallejo
Allied Pilots Association spokesperson Dennis Tajer said on Tuesday suggested that the rollout of 5G near airports could put the lives of passengers at risk.
“This is reckless, it’s dangerous, and it’s got to stop,” Tajer told the Today Show on Tuesday.
“Take a pause. This is about a cellphone signal, and we’re focused on protecting lives.”
Watch the full exchange below:
Airline CEOs are calling for “immediate intervention” ahead of Wednesday’s 5G rollout, warning it may cause massive flight disruptions nationwide. @tomcostellonbc has the details. pic.twitter.com/KXr5ptCOuv
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) January 18, 2022
HOW COULD 5G AFFECT FLIGHTS?
18:57 , Justin Vallejo
Following a flurry of headlines about the delay to the rollout of high-speed 5G internet in the US, many travellers have concerns about its potential effect on flight safety.
In early January, US mobile networks Verizon and AT&T agreed to push back their 5G rollouts - originally planned for December - until 19 January over aviation concerns, following a request from transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
However, this week top airline executives sent a letter to Buttigieg and other federal officials, saying in no uncertain terms that if the rollout goes ahead this week as planned, it could be “catastrophic” for the aviation industry.
So should we be worried about the dawn of 5G?
Here’s Lucy Thackray with everything we know so far.
