Altitude Equipment Upgrades Required to Mitigate 5G Signal Interference, International Jets at Greater Risk
US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has cautioned that airline passengers may experience delays or cancellations starting July 1st if passenger jets have not upgraded their altimeters to address potential 5G interference. The warning, based on a report from The Wall Street Journal, highlights concerns raised by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding the impact of 5G C-band signals on radio wave emitters used by passenger jets to measure altitude during low-visibility landings.
Upgrade Deadline and Low-Visibility Restrictions
While the official deadline for airlines to implement the necessary equipment upgrades is set for February 2024, any passenger jets that have not been certified for operation around C-band 5G signals by July 1st will be prohibited from landing in certain low-visibility situations. This restriction aims to ensure the safety and reliability of altitude measurement systems during challenging landing conditions.
Status of Altitude Equipment Upgrades
The majority of the US domestic airline fleet has taken proactive measures, with more than 80 percent of planes already upgraded to address potential 5G interference. However, approximately 65 percent of international jets flying to the US still require altimeter modifications to comply with the necessary standards. The International Air Transport Association, representing global airlines, has expressed confidence in their members’ ability to mitigate disruptions, mentioning that carriers are prioritizing aircraft equipped with the required altimeters for flights to the US. Air India has confirmed that all its planes are equipped with the necessary technology to mitigate 5G interference.
Airline Expectations and Delays
Despite the concerns raised by the Transportation Secretary, most airlines operating in the US remain optimistic, anticipating minimal impact from the altimeter upgrades. They are actively working towards having their fleets fully upgraded by the July 1st deadline. However, according to The Wall Street Journal report, Delta Air Lines and JetBlue will not meet this deadline. Delta Air Lines still has 190 planes requiring upgrades, while JetBlue has 17 outstanding planes. The Airlines for America trade association has attributed the delays to global supply chain issues faced by the airlines.
Background on 5G Expansion and Aviation Concerns
The conflict between the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), wireless carriers such as AT&T and Verizon, and the FAA regarding 5G expansion has been ongoing. Initially, the FAA expressed concerns about potential 5G C-band interference with aviation gear, resulting in a dispute over the placement and signal power of carriers’ towers. Consequently, the full expansion of the crucial C-band frequency, which strikes a balance between low-band 5G’s wide coverage and millimeter wave 5G’s high speeds, faced multiple delays. Originally scheduled for January 2022, the expansion deadline was subsequently postponed to July 5th, 2022, and finally to July 1st of the current year.
Limited Impact Expected, Subject to Altitude Equipment Installation
At present, the potential setbacks will mainly affect flights operated by planes that have not undergone the necessary 5G-interference-mitigating equipment upgrades and are landing in low-visibility conditions. For example, JetBlue has indicated that there may be “limited impact” at Boston airports on low-visibility days beginning July 1st. It is crucial for airlines to prioritize the timely installation of the required altimeters to ensure smooth operations and passenger safety in challenging weather conditions.
