Leaders at the FAA and NTIA met this week to discuss aviation safety concerns raised by new 5G C-band deployments, two sources briefed on the meeting told Reuters. FAA Acting Administrator Billy Nolen and NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson met virtually for about 30 minutes on Monday, according to the sources.
The meeting comes after Nolen wrote the NTIA last month, seeking a mandated delay in 5G C-band transmissions near some airports from smaller telecoms over aviation safety concerns, Inside Towers reported.
The FAA and NTIA declined comment.
In June, AT&T (NYSE: T) and Verizon (NYSE: VZ) agreed to phase-in 5G near some airports to give airlines time to either upgrade or replace aviation radio altimeters that may be subject to 5G interference. The mitigations were negotiated with NTIA, the FCC, the FAA and the airlines. They’re to remain in place until July 2023, Inside Towers reported.
The FAA wants the FCC to mandate those voluntary mitigations for 19 smaller telecoms too, though it’s not clear the FCC has the authority to do that, notes Reuters. “Aviation safety would be compromised if the U.S. government does not codify certain additional operating limits in the 5G C-Band environment,” Nolen wrote.
Industry officials say the FAA raised the idea of temporarily prohibiting deployment of some 5G operations in the 3.8-3.9 MHz portion of the band and maintaining some existing power limits until January 2024, according to Reuters.
Nolen’s letter was sent to Davidson and FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel was copied. Rosenworcel last week confirmed to reporters after the agency’s monthly meeting that she received the letter, Inside Towers reported. “We are in discussions with our colleagues at the NTIA,” Rosenworcel said.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
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