US aerospace and telecommunications industry report on 5G security concerns Reuters

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The aviation and telecommunications industry said it was moving forward on Wednesday to address air security concerns about potential interference from the January 5 5G wireless deployment.

The wireless trading group CTIA, American Airlines and the Aerospace Industry Association said in a joint statement that “after productive discussions we will work together to share data from all parties to identify specific areas of concern for the aircraft.”

Last week, airlines said interference from 5G networks could lead to a diversion, delay or cancellation of 4% of U.S. flights.

“The best technical experts from both industries will work together to identify the way forward, in coordination,” the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a statement.

“By working in good faith in a data-driven solution, we can achieve our shared goal of deploying 5G while maintaining the safety of the aircraft,” the team added.

AT&T (NYSE 🙂 and Verizon Communications (NYSE 🙂 The C-Band spectrum is moving forward with plans to implement 5G wireless, which won a $ 80 billion auction in two weeks.

Both the aviation industry and the FAA have expressed concern about the potential interference of 5G with sensitive aircraft electronics such as radio altimeters.

The FAA has issued airworthiness regulations this month warning that 5G interference could lead to flight diversions.

In order to avoid implementation issues, the teams have come together to share data about U.S. airports, including base station locations, power levels, and antenna location, as well as data on aircraft altimeters that could potentially be affected.

On Monday, Boeing (NYSE 🙂 CEO Dave Calhoun and Airbus Americas CEO Jeffrey Knittel called on the Biden administration to delay the 5G deployment.

Airlines in the United States say that if the FAA 5G directive were in effect in 2019, about 345,000 passenger flights and 5,400 cargo flights would be subject to delays, diversions, or cancellations.

In November, AT&T and Verizon postponed the commercial launch of the C-band wireless service for a month until January 5 and took precautionary measures to limit interference.

Aviation industry teams said that was not enough. The aviation industry made a counter-proposal that would limit cellular transmission around airports and other critical areas.

The CTIA wireless industry group said 5G is secure and that the spectrum is being used in about 40 other countries. He has previously accused aviation of frightening and distorting the facts.