The aviation ministry is expected to hold discussions with industry stakeholders and the telecom department before the launch of 5G mobile broadband services in India to deal with concerns over the airwaves potentially obstructing airline operations across the country.
The move comes after Air India cancelled eight US-bound flights amid widespread disruptions in air travel caused by concerns over the rollout of 5G services in the US and their impact on radar altimeters and auto-pilot systems.
India plans to auction 5G spectrum around April-May in the run-up to the much awaited rollout of 5G services likely later this year, or early next year. C-band spectrum in the 3.3-3.67 GHz range for 5G services will also be put up for sale in the upcoming auctions.
The US Federal Aviation Administrator (FAA) recently warned that 5G signals in the C spectrum band – with band range from 3.3-4.2 GHz – could interfere with aircraft altimeter systems which typically operate in the nearby 4.2-4.4 GHz range.
The flights were resumed after Air India got approval from the US authorities, which allowed operation of the Boeing Model aeroplanes equipped with the Honeywell Aerospace ALA-52B radio altimeters to some airports. AI aircraft are equipped with Honeywell systems.
A section of the local aviation industry, including the Federation of Indian Pilots, has voiced concerns over 5G mobile signals possibly impacting the operation of aircraft altimeters—crucial for landing in low-visibility conditions—and making air travel unsafe.
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