According to a story in the Economic Times, a government group headed by Principal Scientific Adviser Ajay Kumar Sood has been tasked with finding a solution to the problem of 5G service rollout at and around airports. These talks will center on issues about passenger and aircraft safety.
The newspaper was informed by insiders that a larger group has been assembled to "address the 5G matter". This move is the result of disagreements about when to replace outdated airplane radio altimeters, an essential instrument that provides height information during low-visibility landings.
Temporary 5G Site Installation Restriction at Airports
The DoT prohibited cell operators from setting up any 5G facilities in the 3,300–3,670 MHz band within 2.1 km of airport runways as a temporary measure in November 2022. This was put in place only temporarily until aircraft altimeters could be replaced, to prevent any potential interference with radio frequencies used by aircraft.
Leading telcos, however, have recently complained that their revenue has decreased as a result of the ongoing holdoff on upgrades. They lobbied the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MCA) in September to instruct the DGCA to set a timetable for all Indian airlines to replace antiquated radio altimeter equipment.
“We’ve written to the government because there’s no evidence to suggest that there is any such interference, more so because the bands that are being used are not the same," the executive said.
Following the government's directives, 5G services have to be suspended in airports and high-density areas in important metros near airports. Because of its proximity to the Safdarjung airport, 5G services in Lutyens Delhi were either discontinued or drastically curtailed. Similar closures also had to be implemented in Hyderabad and Bangalore.
“A significant amount of coverage compression has taken place," a second executive said.
A permanent solution regarding 5G connectivity at airports has also been emphasized by aircraft manufacturers Boeing and Airbus. The audit also stated that decisions made by the DGCA and airlines on purchase orders for altimeters were significant.
The manufacturers had previously stated that altimeters would only be accessible for use in non-US nations starting in December 2023. The problem has gotten worse since airlines are taking longer to place purchase orders.
Image Source: The Economic Times
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