AT&T and Verizon will be delaying their rollout of 5G wireless service near certain airports after the airline industry raised concerns.
AT&T said it would delay turning on new cell towers around runways at some airports - it did not say how many or for how long - and work with federal regulators to settle the dispute.
"To be blunt, the nation's commerce will grind to a halt" unless the service is blocked near major airports, the CEOs said in a letter Monday to federal officials including Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who has previously taken the airlines' side in the matter. AT&T and Verizon say their equipment will not interfere with aircraft electronics, and that the technology is being safely used in many other countries.
The showdown between two industries and their rival regulators - the FAA and the Federal Communications Commission, which oversees radio spectrum - threatens to further disrupt the aviation industry, which has been hammered by the pandemic for nearly two years.The airline industry and the FAA say that they have tried to raise alarms about potential interference from 5G C-Band but the FCC ignored them.
In response to concern by the airlines, however, they initially agreed to delay the service until early January.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
AT&T, Verizon change 5G rollout plans after airlines protestAT&T and Verizon said Tuesday they would change their planned rollout of 5G service to avoid airports after US airline CEOs warned the deployment could have “catastrophic” consequences.
Read more »
AT&T, Verizon delay launching 5G near some airports after airlines ask Biden to interveneAT&T and Verizon announced Tuesday that they would delay activating 5G on some towers around certain airports. The wireless technology's rollout near major airports had been scheduled for Wednesday, but airlines warned of dire consequences for transportation and the economy.
Read more »
AT&T delays launching 5G near some airports after airlines ask Biden to interveneAT&T announced Tuesday that it would delay activating 5G on some towers around certain airports. The wireless technology's rollout near major airports had been scheduled for Wednesday, but airlines warned of dire consequences for transportation and the economy.
Read more »
Major airlines warn of 'catastrophic disruption' to travel and shipping from 5G debut set for Wednesday by Verizon and AT&TMajor carriers say that, without any changes, the debut set for Wednesday could ground thousands of flights, strand tens of thousands of Americans overseas and severely clog shipping.
Read more »
Verizon, AT&T will limit 5G around airports after airlines warn of 'catastrophic' disruptionUPDATE: Verizon and AT&T say they will temporarily limit 5G service around some airports, in the wake of airlines warning about 'catastrophic' disruption from this week's rollout.
Read more »
Airline CEOs warn 5G could leave thousands of travelers stranded and cause other havocThe FAA recently determined that 5G could interfere with vital safety instruments on airplanes, prompting airline CEOs to write a letter urging government officials not to implement 5G near certain airports.
Read more »