Will 5G Crash Planes?
Are you confused by the deluge of news reports about 5G and US airport issues? Here’s a quick primer to bring it al down to earth.
What is 5G?
The latest, commercially available, wireless mobile technology provides faster internet access for more devices with speeds up to 10GB per second. It uses a new mobile band or spectrum known as the C band with frequencies between 3.7 - 4.4 GHz. The wave is long enough to efficiently travel a good distance but short enough to hold data.
What does that mean in English?
5G is up to 10x faster than current 4G/LTE speeds and allows for more reliable connections in crowded spaces (like concerts) and allows multiple devices to communicate seamlessly (like autonomous cars).
Sounds great. When do we get it?
Widespread access to 5G in the US, via AT&T and Verizon, was to be launched today (January 19). But, and this is a big BUT, the launch has been delayed/deferred, again.
Wait. What? Why?
Following protests from 10 US airlines, airline regulators and aeroplane manufacturers, the telecoms voluntarily scaled back the launch of 5G.
They claim that 5G may interfere with safety equipment used by plans and pilots to determine altitude, otherwise known as altimeters.
Altimeters determine the distance between the plane and the ground.
Altimeters determine the distance between the plane and the ground. Altimeters are crucial for about 20 - 100 seconds upon take-off and landing, especially when visibility is poor.
In a worse case, possibly improbable, scenario interference could force planes to pull up to avoid phantom objects. Conversely, interference may mask warnings about real objects.
But, hmm, isn't 5G already available in other countries with airports?
Yup.
There are several ways to mitigate, including:
Upgrading altimeters
Topping out the mobile 5G spectrum at 4.0 GHz (some altimeters operate between 4.2 and 4.4 GHz)
Reducing 5G power levels within two miles of airport runways and helipads
Training pilots to indenting and adjust to anomalies
Cooperation between the airline and telecom stakeholders
So, how long is the delay?
No one knows, especially since this isn’t the first delay.
Ok. Who does this affect?
Right now, only a limited few devices have 5G capabilities including the Apple iPhone 12 and 13 series, Samsung Galaxy S21, Flip and Fold 3 series’, Google Pixel 6 and 6 Pro.
What about COVID? Doesn’t 5G cause COVID?
There is no proof that 5G technology causes COVID or affects vaccines.
