A new GSM Association study on the effects of 5G on aviation altimeters was highlighted by the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association recently. The study aims to falsify concerns about the possibility of mobile technology interfering with flight operations. The study has also characterised aviation sector claims about potential 5G interference as “emotive” and “stoking public fear.”

According to AMTA CEO Louise Hyland, “AMTA is reassured by the GSMA report, which echoes similar findings from a 5G Americas whitepaper released in July 2021, which identified significant shortcomings in studies raising interference concerns which had been submitted by the aviation industry, not least the lack of any recorded instances of interference between 5G and aviation globally.”

“All Australian mobile network operators have invested considerably in the capability and coverage of their mobile networks over many years, and we are confident in the body of work and regulatory framework in place to ensure this does not pose a concern in relation to aircraft safety,” Hyland further added.

“Of course, safety of aircraft remains paramount and AMTA has full faith in the ability of the relevant regulatory bodies – the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the Australian Communications and Media Authority – to manage and enforce a robust regulatory framework to ensure aircraft safety in Australia."

“AMTA will continue working with all regulatory bodies and experts to ensure the safe and reliable development and implementation of 5G infrastructure. We endorse the GSMA’s report and welcome their authoritative voice to cut through the noise currently permeating the aviation space.”

“The aviation industry has yet to provide sufficient evidence in support of its claims that 5G services will interfere with radio altimeters. The aviation industry has also not provided any detail on the technical specifications and performance characteristics of altimeters in service after multiple requests for them to do so.”

AMTA further added that “The aviation industry continues to use emotive language and assert, without any evidence, that aircraft safety is at risk from 5G services that may use the 3.4 to 4.0 GHz bands. This approach is not helpful in resolving this matter and only serves to stoke public fear about an as yet unsubstantiated problem.”

Meanwhile, director of spectrum and network infrastructure Chris Coughlan said that “The aviation industry in Australia has likewise refused to provide detailed specifications of radio altimeters in service in Australia to the ACMA technical liaison group. The mobile industry stands ready to mitigate any real issues that can be factually demonstrated by the aviation industry. However, at this time the aviation industry is refusing to share any detailed technical information so that a wider audience of radio experts can examine the real data and assess the probability of any potential hazards.”