Two wireless giants, AT&T and Verizon, have agreed to postpone the planned December 5 launch of the new 5G band, which is considered a critical step forward in the mobile phone world.
The reason for the delay? These companies, along with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), want to test whether fears that signals from telephone antennas could interfere with aircraft cockpit instruments are justified.
This decision can only be welcomed. After all, we know that progress has a wrong side. And although high technologies are designed to improve our lives, one should in no way turn a blind eye to possible side effects, and it is important to catch yourself in time if a real threat arises. Until now, the possible negative impact of the new product on health has caused concern. After all, the triumphant march of 5G will lead to the rapid construction of 800,000 additional antenna towers, and another 1 million terrestrial antennas will allow communication with 50,000 satellites. It is easy to imagine how this will complicate the electronic web, which is already densely entangling the planet and which many believe is fraught with health risks. And now it is necessary to either dispel or confirm similar doubts about aviation security. How can this be done?
The Federal Aviation Administration, which is part of the US Department of Transportation, has issued an executive order requiring all pilots to temporarily restrict the use of certain automatic systems in aircraft cockpits. Such, for example, equipment for landing in bad weather, including radio altimeters – devices that measure the distance between an aircraft and the earth’s surface. Thus, for the duration of the experiment, it will be possible to reduce or eliminate interaction with mobile towers transmitting 5G signals, and see how it all works.
Unfortunately, the directive will not pass without leaving a trace neither for passengers, nor for freight carriers. There may be disruptions to the schedule of aircraft and cancellations of flights in 46 areas where towers with antennas are located.
However, telecom industry executives used to say that such checks were unnecessary, that 5G poses no threat to air transport and that in many countries the system is already functioning without incident.
However, later they preferred to play it safe and act according to the principle “Measure seven times, cut once.”
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which oversees the industry, together with the Civil Aviation Administration issued a statement that, in part, says: “Aviation safety and technology leadership are our national priorities, and companies that have agreed for additional verification, demonstrated commitment to both. “
Representatives of Verizon, the company with the largest number of mobile subscribers in the country, stressed that they agreed to the delay “in good faith,” but, confident that 5G does not pose a threat to air communications, intend, as planned, to In 2022, provide 100 million Americans with a novelty.
The same conciliatory position is held by AT&T. Its leadership announced its readiness to continue cooperation with both the telecommunications department and the aviation department, in order to eliminate any misunderstandings and act on the basis of proven scientific data.
Moreover, the delay is foreseen for a short time – until January 5th. It is quite possible to endure a month. For both companies, the stakes in this game are very high. They spent tens of billions of dollars on licenses that allow them to operate in the so-called C-Band – a frequency range between 3.7 and 4.2 GHz, which is considered the most favorable for 5G, as the experience of other countries has shown. And there are additional billions of dollars ahead: it is necessary to pay compensation to the former users of these waves, to install new equipment.
Along with AT&T and Verizon, their rival T-Mobile has been licensed to provide 5G users by the end of 2023.
The providers do not mind the costs. They believe the game is worth the candle. After all, we are talking about a fifth generation technology that will provide subscribers with an Internet much faster than 4G. Therefore, they are ready to do anything to innovate. Ready and wait, but not too long. “It won’t make the weather a month,” admitted Harold Feld, a telecommunications expert with Washington-based Public Knowledge. – What will really change the picture significantly is if the tests drag on indefinitely. Then a situation will arise when the entire investment cycle will explode. “
After all, Verizon already has a quarter of its customers subscribed to 5G and can’t wait to download new programs, games and video streaming channels. A lot of money has been invested. The people who spent it on this, counted on a quick return.
However, the fears of the aviators can also be understood. They now have to solve an equation with many unknowns: to study the location of the towers, the intensity of their work, to determine in these places the optimal approach angles of aircraft for landing – so that electromagnetic waves do not affect the accuracy of the instrument readings.
One thing is clear: the advancement of 5G cannot be stopped. In the end, the new technology will prevail. The only question is how soon and at what cost.
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