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Mobile phone users are eager to use it, but airlines are much less eager to see 5G rolled out. A dozen of them are asking the US government to do everything to delay its deployment around airports.
With our correspondent in Washington, Guillaume Naudin
A new deadline. This is what passenger transport companies like those of the logistics giants are asking for. Because it wouldn’t be the first. The telecom giants AT&T and Verizon had already agreed two weeks ago to postpone, until Wednesday, January 19, the deployment of their network, in particular near airports.
interference
What carriers fear is that these powerful antennas will interfere with some aircraft’s onboard instruments, grounding them. ” To be frank, the nation’s trade will come to a standstill “, say the companies, which cite pell-mell disruptions for passengers but also problems with the delivery of essential medical supplies in times of pandemic. In recent weeks, flight cancellations have already been very numerous due to the Omicron wave affecting crews, but also because of the winter weather.
Return on investment
The American Aviation Safety Agency had recommended suspending the use of certain on-board instruments. The companies protested against the potential costs induced by this decision. AT&T and Verizon probably have another cost in mind: $80 billion. This is what was spent last year by the telecom sector in auctions to obtain the precious frequencies. At this price, these major networks are hoping for a substantial and, if possible, rapid return on investment.
► Read also: 5G/air: the new deadline requested by the American authorities refused by the operators
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