Description

This article introduces a radio spectrum–based controversy that has engaged many aviation safety stakeholders and industry associations in the United States. These stakeholders recently reached a consensus that introduction of a change to 5G wireless technology — using a reallocated portion of the 3.7–3.98 GHz radio frequency (RF) band — could result in unsafe RF interference to radio altimeters, which sometimes also are called radar altimeters.

Aviation stakeholders have urged the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to protect operation of all radio altimeters by prohibiting the use of this auctioned bandwidth by the wireless industry unless further research and cooperation yield a solution.