Airport Group Makes Late Case for Delaying C-Band

Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) is making a final attempt to delay launch of 5G in the C-band by Verizon and AT&T starting Wednesday, warning of the threat to radio altimeters from wireless transmissions. Industry observers said it’s unlikely AT&T and Verizon will again delay launch, which has been on hold since Dec. 5.

Based on FAA notices to air missions (NOTAMs), more than 100 airports and heliports in 46 of the largest metropolitan areas in the U.S. “will have their low visibility approach procedures closed due to potential radio frequency interference between 5G transmissions and radar,” the group said in a Thursday letter to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and FAA Administrator Stephen Dickson. “Many of the largest and busiest commercial service airports in the United States, including airports in Boston, New York, Orlando, Dallas Fort Worth, Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles” are affected, ACI-NA said: “More alarmingly, multiple Level I and II trauma hospitals will also see their low visibility approach procedures shuttered.”

ACI-NA warned of air travel disruptions. “We urge you to work with your respective industry stakeholders to delay 5G implementation until sufficient approvals of Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) are in place that enable the commercial aircraft to continue the safe use of the low visibility approach procedures the FAA is now closing by these NOTAMs,” the group said. The FCC, AT&T and Verizon declined comment. The FAA didn’t comment.

Two lawyers with carrier clients warned Friday that the carriers could see further delays. But most observers think Verizon and AT&T are on track to launch operations this week.

“ACI-NA is engaging in a bit of last minute fearmongering,” High Tech Forum founder Richard Bennett told us: “The 5G rollout will proceed as planned.” Without “the completely safe experience in 40 countries, I would be concerned, too,” said Recon Analytics’ Roger Entner: “Fortunately, we don’t see any planes and helicopters falling from the sky as the ACI-NA predicts in comparable countries.”

Given President Joe Biden's statement (see 2201040070) supporting the compromise, “I don't see this getting delayed,” said New Street’s Blair Levin. “Any further delay would require the FAA and DOT to repudiate their agreement with Verizon and AT&T,” said spectrum consultant Tim Farrar: “That seems unlikely since it would set a disastrous precedent.”

“America has Internet infrastructure laying fallow right now b/c of the Biden [administration’s] dysfunction,” Commissioner Brendan Carr tweeted Thursday: “The hard work is done -- towers built, antennas hung, safety reviews complete. … Now airports want more.”

“Given the accommodations to airline safety already reached by the FCC and FAA, it is important that 5G deployment not be further delayed,” said Seth Cooper, Free State Foundation senior fellow. “Given the record of safety around the world using C-band spectrum and the technical parameters on its use established by the FCC, there doesn’t seem to be a sound evidentiary basis for further delay.”