When AT&T and Verizon spent tens of billions of dollars for the rights to use the C-band spectrum for their 5G service, the carriers saw it as a way to expand their networks and make them faster. Those plans, however, sparked a feud with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which warned that the cell signals could interfere with the altimeters that pilots use to land in conditions with low visibility. (Could is a keyword — if everything is working correctly, there shouldn’t be problems, but with jets that can hold hundreds of people, it’s understandable why the FAA and airlines would want a lot of wiggle room.)
Before the carriers activated their C-band equipment, the FAA created rules around how airplanes could land in low-visibility conditions. The carriers agreed to delay their rollouts in November 2021, pushing the date to January 5th, and also said they’d run their equipment at lower power around airports for six months, creating buffer zones and allowing the regulator more time to analyze the situation.
Then, the FAA requested another delay. The carriers initially rejected it before cutting a deal to push the date back to January 15th. As that deadline neared, there was a flurry of activity. A coalition of airlines and shipping companies claimed that the rollout could cause “catastrophic disruption” if it went through, and the carriers announced that they put further limits on their rollout around airports but lambasted the FAA in their statements.
The same day, several international airlines announced that they were canceling flights to certain airports in the US. (The president of Emirates had some scathing remarks about how the situation was handled, calling the rollout “one of the most delinquent, utterly irresponsible issues [...] I’ve seen in my aviation career” and saying that the airline didn’t have vital information until a few days before the rollout.)
On the 19th, AT&T and Verizon activated their cell networks, and the FAA cleared additional altimeters, saying that it should allow “an estimated 62 percent of the U.S. commercial fleet to perform low-visibility landings at airports where wireless companies deployed 5G C-band.” The story is continuing to evolve as airlines announce delays or that they’ll be continuing service. You can follow the story as it continues to unfold here.
Jan 10, 2023, 10:35 PM UTCMitchell Clark
The FAA hopes airplanes and 5G can get along by early next year
Getting to that point, however, will require millions of dollars in filters and altimeter replacements.
Jun 17, 2022, 6:08 PM UTCMitchell Clark
FAA says Verizon and AT&T will soon be able to use the good 5G
It’s going to be a phased rollout
Feb 4, 2022, 7:51 PM UTCMitchell Clark
The House hearing on 5G and planes shows the ride isn’t over yet
‘We recognize that the existing process for spectrum allocation didn’t serve anyone well’
Jan 28, 2022, 9:28 PM UTCMitchell Clark
The FAA, AT&T, and Verizon are getting closer to a solution for their 5G mess
The 5G C-Band rollout was a mess, but the industry seems to be picking up the pieces
Jan 28, 2022, 12:00 AM UTCMitchell Clark
Major airlines shrugged off 5G fiasco, but small regional carriers still face turbulence
Rural airports and connecting flights may be affected
Jan 20, 2022, 8:31 PM UTCMitchell Clark
FAA estimates 78 percent of US planes can now land at airports with 5G C-band
It seems to be quickly clearing altimeters now that the rollout has happened
Jan 19, 2022, 8:08 PM UTCMitchell Clark
The FAA says some 777s are cleared to fly to airports with 5G C-band
The regulator was concerned about the safety of low-visibility landings at some airports
Jan 19, 2022, 6:10 PM UTCMitchell Clark
Emirates, Air India, and others cancel flights due to AT&T and Verizon’s 5G rollout
Airlines have dropped flights or switched planes to certain US cities, with emphasis on 777 aircraft
Jan 18, 2022, 7:22 PM UTCMitchell Clark
AT&T and Verizon are limiting C-band 5G expansion around airports even more
AT&T is ‘frustrated’ with the FAA and airlines
Jan 18, 2022, 10:25 AM UTCJon Porter
US airlines warn of ‘catastrophic disruption’ on Wednesday due to 5G activation
Over fears C-band spectrum could disrupt sensitive equipment
Jan 8, 2022, 9:52 PM UTCEmma Roth
FAA lists 50 airports that will have 5G buffer zones ahead of C-band expansion
AT&T and Verizon will shut down 5G transmitters for six months at these locations
Jan 4, 2022, 8:22 PM UTCRussell Brandom
Why AT&T and Verizon are feuding with the US government over a last-minute delay to 5G
A long-brewing battle between wireless carriers and airlines
Jan 4, 2022, 2:59 AM UTCRichard Lawler
Verizon and AT&T cut a deal with the FAA, will hit the brakes on 5G C-band rollouts
Their new 5G spectrum will have to wait one more fortnight
Jan 2, 2022, 11:08 PM UTCRichard Lawler
AT&T, Verizon CEOs reject FAA request to delay 5G expansions scheduled to start January 5th
The carriers instead propose “exclusion zones” around airports
Dec 7, 2021, 10:27 PM UTCSean Hollister
5G now means some flights won’t be able to land when pilots can’t see the runway
A new FAA rule may lead to flight delays
Nov 24, 2021, 7:45 PM UTCChris Welch
Verizon and AT&T offer to temporarily lower 5G’s power to avoid aircraft interference
Both carriers still intend to launch mid-band 5G in January
Nov 4, 2021, 4:36 PM UTCSean O'Kane
Verizon and AT&T delay crucial 5G expansion over aircraft interference concerns
The FAA warned this week that C-band 5G could cause issues with certain radio-based safety systems
Feb 24, 2021, 10:05 PM UTCAllison Johnson
Verizon and AT&T just spent almost $70 billion on spectrum to improve their 5G networks
The results of the C-band auction are in, and Verizon spent big