The thing is aviation DOESN’T own this spectrum, they just assumed it would always be unused. And they failed to mention it would be a problem during the last 5 years of discussion regarding the use of this spectrum.
Shane > On Jan 18, 2022, at 4:25 PM, Mel Beckman <[email protected]> wrote: > > > Michael, > > Here’s a recent PCmag editorial on the subject, and it seems like many people > want to put Internet speed above airline safety: > > https://www.pcmag.com/news/faa-goes-in-hard-to-kill-mid-band-5g > > This issue definitely impacts network operations for 5G providers, so makes > sense to discuss here. > > Here’s a comment from a friend of mine who has been both a network engineer > and a pilot for United Airlines, posted on the article linked above: > > “As a pilot, I can tell you that landing in instrument conditions is by far > the most critical flight regime possible, during which the radar altimeter > reports are a matter of life and death. There is no alternative technology, > such as GPS, with the required accuracy and reliability, to provide approach > guidance down to the runway in zero-zero weather, which is what the radar > altimeter does. > > The collective tech industry needs to admit that it made a huge blunder when > it urged the FCC’s clueless Ajit Pai to “blow off” the clearly demonstrated > FAA spectrum conflict. Sorry, passengers, but if you look out your window, > you’ll see that aviation owns this spectrum and is entitled to > interference-free operation. Replacing all radar altimeters isn’t going to > happen in time for 5G anyway — it took more than ten years just to deploy > anti-collision technology. So do what you should have done from the > beginning: follow the FCC rules of non-interference to existing users, who > have clear priority in this case.” > > I tend to agree with him, and it looks like the 5G providers and FAA agreed > last week to put some buffer safety zones around runway approaches at 50 > major airports: > > https://www.cnet.com/news/faa-lists-50-airports-getting-temporary-buffer-zones-blocking-new-5g-signals/ > > > -mel > >>> On Jan 18, 2022, at 12:33 PM, Michael Thomas <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >> >> I really don't know anything about it. It seems really late to be having >> this fight now, right? >> >> Mike >>
