AT&T and Verizon agreed Tuesday to a partial delay in activating their 5G networks following an outcry from US airlines, who said the rollout could lead to travel chaos.
US President Joe Biden said the move would
avert major disruptions, but at least one airline, Delta, warned of the
potential for cancellations despite the postponement.
The latest delay came one day after the
chief executives of the largest airlines in the United States warned of a
"catastrophic disruption" to travel and shipping operations if the
rollout went ahead Wednesday as planned.
Aviation industry insiders expect there
could still be some flight cancelations and other impacts in the coming days,
but the measures announced by AT&T and Verizon are expected to prevent the
worst problems.
Telecom giants spent tens of billions of
dollars to obtain 5G licenses last year, but as the launch date approached,
aviation industry groups raised concerns about possible interference with
airplanes' radio altimeters - which can operate at the same frequencies - particularly
in bad weather.
AT&T described its latest delay as
voluntary and temporary, with a spokesperson saying it is working with the
airline industry and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) "to provide
further information about our 5G deployment, since they have not utilized the
two years they've had to responsibly plan for this deployment."
AT&T described its latest delay as
voluntary and temporary, with a spokesperson saying it is working with the
airline industry and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) "to provide
further information about our 5G deployment, since they have not utilized the
two years they've had to responsibly plan for this deployment."
"The Federal Aviation Administration
and our nation's airlines have not been able to fully resolve navigating 5G
around airports, despite it being safe and fully operational in more than 40
other countries," the spokesperson said.
It was unclear how long the pause would
last.
The announcements were welcomed by Biden,
who said in a statement the deal would "avoid potentially devastating
disruptions to passenger travel, cargo operations and our economic recovery,
while allowing more than 90 percent of wireless tower deployment to occur as
scheduled."
Federal Communications Commission
Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel commended the agreement, adding that 5G can
safely coexist with the US aviation industry "just as it does in other
countries around the world."
"The FAA has a process in place to
assess altimeter performance in the 5G environment and resolve any remaining
concerns," she said in a statement. "It is essential that the FAA now
complete this process with both care and speed."
Airlines for America, a Washington lobby
representing carriers, said it had not seen details of AT&T and Verizon's
plans but that the "pause provides the opportunity to ensure all
stakeholders, consumers and the US economy are served in the long-run."
While Delta was taking "necessary
steps" to ensure safety in compliance with FAA guidelines, it warned late
Tuesday it was "planning for the possibility of weather-related
cancellations caused by the deployment of new 5G service in the vicinity of
dozens of US airports, starting as early as Wednesday."
Fears of flight groundings
Verizon and AT&T have already twice
delayed the launch of their new C-Band 5G service due to warnings from airlines
and aircraft manufacturers concerned that the new system might interfere with
instruments used to measure altitude.
The FAA said Sunday it had approved some
transponders to be safely operated within areas where 5G will be deployed,
clearing "as many as 48 of the 88 airports most directly affected by 5G
C-Band interference."
But the airlines in a letter to government
officials worried that the remaining limitations at those airports, as well as
a large amount of equipment still uncertified, could trigger a crisis that
would ground thousands of flights.
The letter was signed by CEOs of major
airlines including American, United, Delta, and Southwest, as well as the
leaders of shipping giants FedEx and UPS.
US air carriers also have protested against
the potential costs incurred.
In a letter to employees prior to the
Verizon and AT&T announcements, an American Airlines executive had warned
of "major operational disruptions" due to the 5G rollout.