US wants to require 5G signal safeguards on all commercial planes by early 2024
- Passenger and cargo aircraft need new navigation gear because 5G mobile-phone signals are on frequencies near those used by planes’ radio altimeters
- The Federal Aviation Administration estimates that 7,993 US-registered aircraft would need revisions
The equipment is needed because the newer wireless signals are on frequencies near those used by planes’ radio altimeters, which determine altitude over ground and can cause them to malfunction, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has found. Wireless companies are eager for a solution because they paid the government more than US$80 billion for the new airwaves. The changes would need to be made by February 1, 2024, the agency said in a notice Monday.
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The FAA said it could not rule out interference from 5G signals for about 100 incidents of aircraft navigation equipment issuing erroneous data. Such situations will increase as telecommunications providers expand 5G coverage throughout the US, the FAA said.
“Although they may seem minor in isolation such that some may consider them a mere nuisance, these warnings have safety implications over time,” the FAA said in its notice. “As the flight crew becomes more desensitised to erroneous warnings, they are less likely to react to an accurate warning, negating the safety benefits of the warning altogether and likely leading to a catastrophic incident.”
Airlines “are working diligently to ensure fleets are equipped with compliant radio altimeters, but global supply chains continue to lag behind current demand,” said Airlines for America, the lobbying group representing the largest US carriers. “Any government deadline must consider this reality.”
Spokespeople for American Airlines Group, United Airlines Holdings and Delta Air Lines did not immediately respond to requests for comment.