We’ve all heard at least one or two tinfoil-hat conspiracies about 5G. For awhile, people were even suggesting that it caused coronavirus (which, I have to stress, is not true).
But overnight, a bunch of media outlets latched onto one new story: Several international airlines have developed a sudden hatred of 5G.
This week, international airlines like Emirates Airways, Japan Airlines, and British Airways delayed or cancelled flights to the United States.
Each airline cited 5G as the cause. Emirates, which suspended flights to nine different airports, said it did so due to “operational concerns associated with the planned deployment of 5G mobile network services.”
In an interview, Joe DePete, head of the Air Line Pilots Association, said 5G has been a concern since 2018, because you have to make sure that the radio frequencies for 5G don’t mess with airplane equipment.
Per NPR, in 2020, the FCC sold a big part of the “C” band of radio spectrum to wireless carriers for about $80 billion.
The Federal Aviation Administration also warned that 5G could affect airplane instruments, leading to pilots being unable to operate in low visibility.
Verizon and AT&T, however, argue that they have already deployed C-band 5G in about 40 countries without any issues.
Still, earlier this month, telecom CEOs agreed to briefly delay 5G service and establish buffer zones around 50 airports, after a request from Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
So, AT&T and Verizon planned to launch new 5G networks near major airports.
But once again, the wireless carriers delayed launching 5G near key airports following continued concern from airlines.
President Biden said his administration is working on a solution. For now, though, the decision to extend the delay “will avoid potentially devastating disruptions ... while allowing more than 90% of wireless tower deployment to occur as scheduled,” Biden said.
They’re urging federal officials to create a 2-mile 5G-free buffer zones around runways at certain high-traffic airports.
In a letter, the CEOs of 10 airlines, including American, Delta, and United, wrote, “To be blunt, the nation’'s commerce will grind to a halt. ... Unless our major hubs are cleared to fly, the vast majority of the traveling and shipping public will essentially be grounded.”