FCC Moves Toward New Spectrum Auction Aimed at Preventing Renewed Airline-Telecom Clashes

The commission is weighing whether part of the revenue from the planned C-Band auction should be directed toward helping airlines replace radio altimeters that could be susceptible to interference, per Reuters. The issue gained national attention in 2022 when concerns emerged that certain 5G signals might disrupt altimeter readings—devices that determine an aircraft’s height above the ground and are vital during low-visibility landings. Those concerns prompted brief operational disruptions at some U.S. airports as certain international carriers temporarily halted flights.

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Although a voluntary arrangement between Verizon, AT&T and major airlines resolved the immediate crisis, carriers have continued working to update altimeters to meet new standards. The Federal Aviation Administration expects to finalize those standards before the upcoming auction, Reuters reported.

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The FCC’s ability to hold spectrum auctions had lapsed for two years amid disagreements over military frequency use, but Congress restored that authority this summer. Lawmakers now require the agency to auction at least 100 megahertz of Upper C-Band spectrum by July 2027 to support both advanced 5G capabilities and early 6G development.

FCC Chair Brendan Carr said the new auction is expected to fuel technological innovation and expand affordable broadband access. He also emphasized the importance of ensuring the aviation sector is prepared, saying it is critical to avoid future conflicts by “completing a generational upgrade of radio altimeters through new standards that are fully resilient to 5G services for years to come.”

Source: Reuters