China to roll out dedicated 5G network for airports, plays down frequency interference concerns

  • The CAAC said its 5G airport system will not affect flight safety because it will operate on specific frequencies, and use independent base stations and telecoms services
  • The project aligns with the State Council’s call to expand 5G applications to industrial sectors such as manufacturing, the power grid and ports in the 2021-2025 period

A traveler walks through the Beijing Daxing International Airport, Nov. 23, 2021. Photo: Bloomberg
China’s aviation administration said its planned 5G infrastructure for the country's airports will not affect aircraft safety because it uses aviation-specific frequencies that operate separately from public 5G mobile networks.

A 5G-based aeronautical mobile airport communications (AeroMACS) system to provide enhanced connectivity between planes, tarmac vehicles and other airport infrastructure will be built by 2025, according to a plan announced by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) on Friday.

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