AT&T, Verizon pause 5G rollout near U.S airports to avoid flight disruptions

AT&T and Verizon Communications agreed on Tuesday to pause the activation of some 5G wireless towers near major airports. It is to avoid causing major disruptions to U.S. flights. They are on the verge to roll out 5G technology. It will deliver speedier wireless coverage to tens of millions of people.

According to Reuters, President Joe Biden hailed the agreement, saying it “will avoid potentially devastating disruptions to passenger travel, cargo operations, and our economic recovery while allowing more than 90% of wireless tower deployment to occur as scheduled.”

However, airlines and the FAA have warned that additional limits are imposed as a result of Verizon and AT&T’s 5G service. It is set to launch on Wednesday. It will cause some flight interruptions. While the wireless actions are a great step forward, Delta Air Lines stated that “some flight restrictions may remain.”

The FAA has cautioned that 5G wireless interference could affect sensitive aviation instrumentation like radio altimeters. Hence, causing severe delays in low-visibility missions.

The FAA said it anticipated “there will be some impacts due to the limitations of some radio altimeters.”

Sources briefed Reuters, Verizon will temporarily turn off about 500 towers near airports, or less than 10% of their planned deployment. The carriers and the administration work on a permanent solution. The agreement’s details, including the length of the pause, were not out in public.

Both Verizon and AT&T plan to pause 5g near airports but roll it out in other parts of the country.