Page 83 - SAMENA Trends - January 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

US Aviation Industry Makes Last-Ditch C-Band 5G Plea

The US aviation industry painted a picture and shipping public” to be grounded, altimeters in some locations. Altimeters
of chaos and warned of a catastrophic the news agency stated. The executives and flight systems operate in the 4.2GHz
crisis if 5G services are deployed in C-Band warned of disruption to supply chains to 4.4GHz band, while the operators are on
spectrum, as it reportedly again moved to and even deliveries of medical supplies, the brink of initial launches in the 3.7GHz to
block launches which have already been Reuters reported. Verizon and AT&T are 3.98GHz range, which is deemed too close
twice delayed. Reuters reported chief set to activate 5G in C-Band spectrum. for comfort by some. While the mobile
executives of American Airlines, Delta Air The dispute between the aviation industry industry cites France as an example of
Lines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines and mobile operators has dragged on for safe coexistence of C-Band services,
and others had demanded swift action to months and resulted in the US Federal FAA officials note the spectrum involved
avoid widespread disruption to services. Aviation Administration (FAA) imposing is further removed from the frequencies
Potential interference between C-Band 5G a number of measures, including the employed in aircraft and French 5G power
networks with radio altimeters could result establishment of buffers around certain levels are much lower.
in “the vast majority” of the “travelling airports and restrictions on the use of radio

US Operators Agree C-Band Buffers for Airports

January. In a statement, the FAA noted Verizon and AT&T recently agreed to a
AT&T and Verizon had agreed to turn off second delay of 5G in the C-Band spectrum
transmitters and make other adjustments following concerns about potential
near the airports for six months to interference with radio alimeters. At the
minimize potential 5G interference with time, the operators promised to implement
sensitive aircraft instruments used in “extensive exclusion zones around the
low-visibility landings. The agency said it runways at certain airports”, predicting this
sought input from the aviation community would “reduce C-band signal levels by at
on where the proposed buffer zones would least ten-times” during take-offs and final
AT&T and Verizon agreed to allow buffer help reduce the risk of disruption. Traffic approaches. Despite the recent measures,
zones around certain US airports to volume, the number of low-visibility days the matter remains highly contentious:
reduce the risk of disruption from potential and geographic location were factored into Reuters reported Kevin Burke, president
interference once they activate new 5G the selection, it explained. The FAA also and CEO of industry group Airports Council
services in C-Band spectrum. The Federal noted it continues to work with aerospace International – North America, as saying
Aviation Administration (FAA) released a manufacturers and operators “to make the FAA list “is largely irrelevant” due to the
list of 50 airports which will have buffer sure 5G is safely deployed and to limit the widespread impact of C-Band 5G “in and
zones when services finally go live on 19 risk of flight disruptions at all airports”. around airports”.

US Operators Delay C-Band Launch Again

Verizon and AT&T agreed to a second delay of 5G in the C-Band in the US, just as they do in France. The companies also pledged
spectrum, acquiescing to concerns raised by the airline industry to adopt 5G mitigation strategies similar to those used in France.
about potential interference with radio altimeters on airplanes. AT&T and Verizon promised to implement “extensive exclusion
The operators previously agreed to postpone the 5G launch from 5 zones around the runways at certain airports”, predicting this
December 2021 until 5 January 2022, and to reduce transmission additional mitigation will “reduce C-band signal levels by at least
power levels at airports through 5 July 2022. In late December 10 times on the runway or during the last mile of final approach
2021, US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg wrote to the and the first mile after takeoff”. The companies plan to keep
operators requesting a further delay. He also asked them to let these mitigations in place for up to six months while aircraft
the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) coordinate the rollout operators upgrade their altimeters in order to avoid interference.
of 5G near airports. On 2 January, Verizon and AT&T responded to In a separate letter dated 31 December 2021, Verizon and AT&T
Buttigieg in a joint letter, denying his request. Late on 3 January, told the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) they believe
both companies pivoted and agreed to delay their 5G rollouts in the airline industry wants to “hold the C-Band hostage until the
the C-Band spectrum for an additional two weeks. In their letter to wireless industry agrees to cover the costs of upgrading any
Buttigieg, the operators stated 5G and aviation can safely coexist obsolete altimeters”.

83 JANUARY 2022