AT&T and Verizon have agreed to delay their roll-out of new C-band spectrum in order to give regulators more time to work on limiting potential interference for plane cockpit safety systems. The mobile operators agreed to delay the deployment on their 5G networks in the band for one month, until 05 January, the Wall Street Journal reports.
The Federal Aviation Authority in the US had previously expressed concerns about the use of the spectrum in the 3.7-3.98 GHz band, released by satellite operators, for mobile services. It's planning to issue official mandates as soon as this week that would limit pilots’ use of certain automated cockpit systems known as radio altimeters, according to government and industry officials familiar with the plans. Those restrictions aim to avoid potential interference from wireless towers on the ground transmitting new 5G signals.
The mobile industry has disputed the need for more safeguards, saying that available evidence doesn’t show that the 5G signals would interfere with flight equipment. Carriers in other countries already use the wireless frequencies in question without problems.
The FCC set its rules for use of the spectrum in early 2020 after reviewing the potential impact on aviation, creating a guard band as a buffer between the two uses. Some airplane equipment operates in nearby frequencies, between 4.2 and 4.4 GHz.
The Federal Communications Commission issued a statement with the FAA confirming the voluntary pause. The regulators will work together to ensure there are no undue delays to the process.
The delay represents a setback for AT&T and Verizon, which have been looking to capitalise on the mid-band spectrum to expand significantly their 5G coverage. Verizon said it postponed its rollout "in the spirit of good faith" and remained on track to bring 5G services over the C-band to 100 million Americans in early 2022.
