The launch of a new 5G service could be “catastrophic” for the aviation industry, top airlines companies say.
On Wednesday, telecommunications companies AT&T and Verizon plan to roll out a new C-Band 5G service, a radio frequency band between 3.7 and 4.2GHz. The C-band would cover gaps in the companies’ 5G networks that fall between millimeter-wave, resulting in higher speeds to smaller cities and areas.
But, on Tuesday, major airlines wrote a letter to the United States Transportation and economic officials warning that the 5G signals could jeopardize safety equipment airline pilots need in order to take off and land in inclement weather, NBC News reports.
“Tens of thousands of Americans” could be left stranded overseas, the letter reads. It added that the 5G launch could lead to grounded flights, as airlines are already struggling with flight cancellations in the midst of staff shortages and the COVID-19 surge.
“Unless our major hubs are cleared to fly, the vast majority of the traveling and shipping public will essentially be grounded,” they said in the letter, which was signed by major airlines, including Southwest Airlines, Jet Blue, United Airlines and more. UPS and FedEx also signed the letter. “Immediate intervention is needed to avoid significant operational disruption to air passengers, shippers, supply chain and delivery of needed medical supplies,” the letter said. It continued on, saying: “To be blunt, the nation’s commerce will grind to a halt.”
