USA.- US asks telecom companies to postpone the launch of 5G due to aviation risk

Washington, 1 (DPA/EP)

The United States government has proposed to postpone the implementation of 5G internet connection networks from mobile phones for two weeks because of the potential risk to aviation.

The Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg, and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) director Steve Dixon have urged AT&T and Verizon companies to postpone the start of use of the service, scheduled for January 5.

He has also asked these companies to stop offering Band C service around major airports by the end of March to allow necessary testing and correction.

Without this postponement, there could be a risk of “widespread and unacceptable problems” for air traffic, particularly in poor weather conditions or low visibility, according to a letter by Buttigieg and Dixon published Friday. The alternative would be to divert flights to other cities or cancel direct flights, he warned.

The FAA believes that 5G technology may interfere with aircraft equipment such as radio altimeters, which use frequencies close to 5G.

Telecommunications companies have bought the rights to use this part of the radioelectric space for billions of dollars and they count on being able to start service as soon as possible.