Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has come out with a statement saying that the C-band (3.67GHz to 4.2GHz) is safe for the coexistence of 5G technology and aviation and will not cause interference with flight equipment such as altimeter.
COAI’s statement has come in response to some concerns highlighted by the Federation of Indian Pilots in this regard.
Earlier, the Federation of Indian Pilots had raised concerns regarding the potential 5G signal interference with radio altimeters that are integral to aircraft safety systems. To this end, the federation submitted a letter to the civil aviation minister, urging that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) should work together to develop a plan for safely implementing the next-generation mobile networks in the C-band.
The federation’s letter came in the backdrop of the global aviation industry raising concerns over the interference caused by 5G deployment in C-band with radio altimeters, which is used by flights, business jets, and general aviation flights for low-altitude flight.
In response to the concerns raised regarding C-band, Lt. Gen. Dr S P Kochhar, director general, COAI, said, “We understand the concerns raised by Federation of Indian Pilots, and the matter has been highlighted in the past as well wherein the authorities have found the issue of spectrum interference uncorroborated. There is a gap of 530 MHz (from 3670 MHz to 4200 MHz) in the transmission of frequencies. Thus, making it safe for 5G and aviation to co-exist. In the post-pandemic world, connectivity is an important issue and a bigger asset for the economy. It is essential that the country has the required spectrum to meet the escalating demands for wireless connectivity as they will form an integral part of the growth of the nation.”
