AT&T
For the next six months, the companies have agreed to take "additional steps to minimize energy coming from 5G base stations - both nationwide and to an even greater degree around public airports and heliports." This is meant to address any potential interference with aircraft radio altimeters.
AT&T released a statement saying that the measures would be adopted "while additional evidence from radio altimeter manufacturers is evaluated." The company said that it would be taking these additional precautions despite its claims that "there is no credible evidence that a legitimate interference problem exists."
The companies say they will keep the measures in place only until July 6, unless evidence of interference can be produced.
Wireless companies have pointed to the use of C-Band in other countries as proof that the spectrum is safe. According to the companies, no spectrum-related aviation issues have arisen.
Not everyone agrees with the companies' assessment. In early November, the FAA announced its concerns regarding the potential risks and the actions needed to address them, and the launch of 5G was subsequently delayed from December 5 until January 5.
The FAA said in a statement that the additional precautions are "an important and encouraging step... 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," the agency continued.
In its announcement, the FAA acknowledged that no proof of 5G aviation interference has been shown anywhere in the world.
Wireless companies aren't the only ones dealing with the effects of this issue. According to two Democratic lawmakers, airlines may have to comply with emergency directives come this December, directives that may include "draconian but necessary restrictions on many types of critical flight operations."
