The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has directed network operators to not install 5G sites in the 3300-3670 megahertz (MHz) band, also called the C-band within 2.1 kilometres (kms) of both ends of the runway of an airport.
In similar letters to network operators including Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, DoT had said base stations can be installed in the periphery of 540 metres after the 2.1 kilometre range given that the power emission is restricted till 58 dBm/MHz.
The issue had first come into notice in January 2022 when the US Federal Aviation Administrator (FAA) warned that the 5G signals in the C-spectrum could interfere with the aircraft altimeter systems. The C-spectrum which ranges from 3.3 – 4.2 GHz could interfere with the 4.2 – 4.4 GHz range.
A section of the country’s aviation industry, including Federation of Indian Pilots, had also voiced its concerns for the interference from the C-spectrum band range. The aircraft altimetres are crucial for landing in low visibility conditions.
