picked up a ton of 2.5GHz mid-band spectrum. This was important because mid-band airwaves are not readily available in the U.S. and the characteristics of these signals allow them to travel farther than mmWave and deliver faster download data speeds than low-band.Verizon andspent over $68 billion combined to purchase licenses giving them control over mid-band spectrum in the 3.7GHz-4.2GHz range.
On New Year's Eve, U.S. aviation officials including Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and FAA administrator Steve Dickson sent a letter to Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg and AT&T CEO John Stankey. The missive asked for a delay of this week's launch of 5G service in the 3.7GHz-During the delay, the officials would study the effects of the C-band signals on aircraft at specific airports.
reiterated this story today repeating that Verizon and AT&T refused to delay the start of its 5G C-band service that is scheduled to start this Wednesday. The U.S. officials said that without a delay, the public would have to deal with"widespread and unacceptable disruption to air traffic as airplanes try to avoid airports covered with C-band 5G signals.reports that the carriers did have a counter-proposal that they sent in a letter on Sunday to U.S. officials.
The FAA said that it is now reviewing that letter from the carriers. The regulatory agency said,"U.S. aviation safety standards will guide our next actions." Meanwhile, AT&T and Verizon say that there is no risk to passengers.
The regulators responded to this by noting that more sensitive altimeters that can pick up signals beyond their usual range could mistake cellular transmissions for land. The Transportation Secretary and FAA administrator say that without a resolution to this dispute, there could be severe economic consequences. Buttigieg and Dickson wrote,"Failure to reach a solution by Jan. 5 will force the U.S.