Over Worries About Airplane Safety, AT&T and Verizon Have Offered to Limit the Strength of 5G

While the FAA investigates the effects of C-band spectrum on aircraft safety systems, AT&T and Verizon have taken a rare step to avoid a potential conflict. They have said that their 5G cell tower power output will be limited for six months. This offer was made in a letter that was sent to the FCC on Wednesday, according to the Wall Street Journal’s report.

AT&T and Verizon noted that while they remain satisfied that 5G poses no risk to air safety, they are also aware of the FAA’s demand for additional examination of this problem. if the FAA agrees, the limit will be extended until July 6th. The FCC has received assurances from AT&T and Verizon that the limits will not have an impact on their services.

C-band rollouts were pushed back a month to January 2022 at the beginning of November. Some aircraft altimeters may be affected by broad use of C-band spectrum, according to FAA officials. For landing, pilots frequently rely on those instruments, especially when visibility is low.

It is in both AT&T and Verizon’s financial interest to avoid any further delays in the launch of their C-band networks. On top of $68.8 billion in licensing fees, both carriers spent an extra $15 billion on infrastructure to take advantage of the spectrum they had purchased.