AT&T, Verizon Limit C-Band Deployments Near Airports, Helipads Through July 6
Saying they're sensitive to the FAA wanting more analysis about possible 5G impacts to radio altimeter performance and air safety, AT&T and Verizon on Wednesday told the FCC they would adopt a series of temporary voluntary power limits and antenna restrictions on C-band deployments near airports. That commitment ends July 6 "unless credible evidence exists that real-world interference would occur if the mitigations were relaxed," they said in a docket 18-122 letter Wednesday. After an FAA air safety warning about 5G use on the C band, AT&T and Verizon earlier this month agreed to a one-month delay to the first phase of deployment to allow an agency probe of altimeter issues (see 2111040042).
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The new precautions come "despite the absence of any credible evidence that 5G deployments in the C-band will adversely affect radio altimeters in aircraft, as is confirmed by real-world experience around the globe," the wireless operators said. They said 5G systems have been deployed in the C band in nearly 40 countries "without any reported incidents of harmful interference to radio altimeters and without the FAA expressing any concern regarding the safety of U.S.-registered aircraft operating in those locations," they said. They said the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics report that is the basis of FAA concerns "has been thoroughly debunked and consistently dismissed by regulators around the globe."
The two will limit power levels across the nation of C-band 5G antennas directed above the horizon, cutting skyward emissions as well as C-band 5G emissions on public helipads, according to the letter. They also pledge to limit power levels and antenna heights and emissions around runways, taxiways and gates for commercial and regional airports. The two companies said the safeguards were the result of discussions with FCC staff.
“This is an important and encouraging step, and we are committed to continued constructive dialogue with all of the stakeholders," an FAA spokesperson emailed. "We look forward to reviewing the AT&T and Verizon proposal. The FAA believes that aviation and 5G C-band wireless service can safely co-exist.”
“These technical mitigations represent one of the most comprehensive efforts in the world to safeguard aviation technologies," an FCC spokesperson emailed. "With these measures in place, the FCC will continue to work productively with the FAA so that 5G networks deploy both safely and swiftly.”
AT&T and Verizon "should be applauded for agreeing to explore FAA’s altimeter 'concerns,'" tweeted former FCC Commissioner Mike O'Rielly, a Media Institute senior fellow. "Companies going above & beyond (far more than I advise) with new studies & power limits near sensitive flight areas. Allows 5G progress while targeting FAA worry." If up to the FAA, 5G would "likely be stalled indefinitely, putting the US behind #China + 40 other nations already using c-band," tweeted Strand Consult Senior Vice President Roslyn Layton.