By Seth Gellman
Just 36 hours before Verizon and AT&T were set to unveil their new 5G technology across the country, the CEOs of every major airline signed a request to the Federal Aviation Administration to block 5G within 2 miles of major airports. They argue that the 5G stations will disrupt airplane radio altimeters and risk the safety of passengers. The letter states, “Immediate intervention is needed to avoid significant operational disruption to air passengers, shippers, supply chain and delivery of needed medical supplies.”
While initially hesitant to back down, the telecommunication companies agreed to defer the activation of the towers. On Tuesday, January 18, Verizon issued a statement saying, “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.” Additionally, AT&T agreed to temporarily stop a limited number of towers near airports from turning on. Both expressed frustration with the FAA, criticizing the administration’s inability to deploy 5G, something that Verizon claims 40 countries have already successfully done.
5G promises to deliver ultra-fast internet speed, and companies across the globe are racing to implement it. Both Verizon and AT&T agreed to a buffer zone around at least 50 airports. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg called talks between the parties “healthy.” President Biden thanked the two companies for the delay, saying that the agreement will 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.”
