Enlarge image
Workers at a 5G radio mast in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (archive)
Photo: Stefan Sauer / DPA
In the USA, there is still a dispute between authorities and companies about the introduction of the new 5G technology.
The US telecommunications groups AT&T and Verizon have rejected a request from the government in Washington to postpone the use of new frequencies for cellular networks again because of possible risks to aviation.
5G is "just as essential for the economic dynamism of our country, its public safety and national interests as the aviation industry," argued the heads of AT&T and Verizon, John Stankey and Hans Vestberg, in a letter to US Secretary of Transport Pete Buttigieg published on Sunday.
Buttigieg and FAA chairman Steve Dickson asked AT&T and Verizon on Saturday to postpone the launch of the new 5G networks for two weeks.
The background to this is concerns of the aviation industry that the technology could interfere with radio altimeters in aircraft (read more here).
The introduction of the new 5G frequencies was originally planned for December 5th, but has already been postponed to January 5th due to the concerns expressed by aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing.
Buttigieg and Dickson assured that the new networks "can start in January, with a few exceptions around priority airports." A solution is being worked on so that "5G and aviation can safely coexist in the US."
The CEOs Stankey and Hans Vestberg accused the aviation sector in their current reaction of having examined the effects of the new frequencies belatedly.
However, the two company bosses indicated a certain willingness to compromise.
AT&T and Verizon wanted to partner with the Department of Transportation and "all interested parties," they said.
The prerequisite for this, however, is that the FAA and the aviation industry do not further aggravate their "complaints" about 5G.
AT&T and Verizon were assigned frequencies for the construction of the 5G network in February 2021 after they had prevailed in a multi-billion dollar public tender.
hpp / afp
