Airbus, Boeing 'concerned' About 5G Interference

Aerospace giants Airbus and Boeing on Tuesday warned the US aviation industry had "concerns" about the potential interference of 5G networks with vital flight safety equipment.

The intervention increases pressure on US regulators in an ongoing dispute between airlines and mobile operators over the rollout of the high-speed mobile broadband technology in the United States.

Airbus Americas chief executive Jeff Knittel and Boeing boss David Calhoun co-signed a letter to US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg "detailing the US aviation industry's shared concerns over 5G implementation in the United States," an Airbus spokesman said.

"Airbus and Boeing have been working with other aviation industry stakeholders in the US to understand potential 5G interference with radio altimeters," which measure a plane's height above the ground, the statement said.

Boeing said the aerospace industry was focused on "fully evaluating and addressing the potential for 5G interference with radio altimeters".

"We are collaborating with aviation authorities, government leaders, airlines, and industry groups to ensure the continued operational safety of aircraft throughout the aviation system worldwide," it added in a statement.

Major telecom operators Verizon and AT&T were due to start using 3.7-3.8 GHz frequency bands on December 5, after obtaining licences worth billions of US dollars in February.

But they postponed the launch in November after the US aviation regulator expressed concerns over 5G signals' possible interference with the altimeters.

The Federal Aviation Administration requested further information about the instruments, which can use the same frequency bands as 5G.

The conflict between 5G networks and aircraft equipment led French authorities to recommend switching off mobile phones with 5G on planes in February. (AFP)