A commercial jet prepares to land at San Diego International Airport as US telecommunications companies, airlines and the FAA continue to discuss the potential impact of 5G wireless services on electrical equipment died on a plane in San Diego, California, USA, January 6, 2022.
Mike Blake | Reuters
The White House says it is working with airlines, wireless carriers and federal agencies to find a resolution to a dispute over the rollout of 5G services, which is scheduled to begin Wednesday. , which airlines say can interfere with navigation systems and possibly force them to cancel flights.
“The Administration is actively engaging with the FAA, FCC, wireless service providers, airlines, and aviation equipment manufacturers to achieve a solution that maximizes 5G deployment while protecting aviation safety and minimize disruption to passenger travel, freight operations, and our economic recovery,” a White House official said.
Aviation industry executives have been warning for weeks of possible flight disruptions due to the new service, and some cancellations could be announced as early as Tuesday, people familiar with the plans said. said the airline. Most recently, on Monday, CEOs of passenger and freight carriers wrote to Biden administration officials asking them to block service deployments within 2 miles of airport runways.
The Federal Aviation Administration has warned that fifth-generation C-band service may cause interference with some aviation equipment such as radio altimeters, which are used for low-visibility landings. Spectrum, which AT&T and Verizon will use, located next to the frequency band, used by the aircraft.
It remains unclear whether a potential deal could prevent flight cancellations.
The rollout was slated to begin January 5, but AT&T and Verizon agreed to delay it until January 19.
AT&T declined to comment. Verizon did not immediately comment.
