AT&T, Verizon to Delay Turning on 5G Near Certain Airports

AT&T and Verizon will delay turning on 5G near certain airports, the companies announced Tuesday afternoon, one day ahead of the planned deployment which has raised concerns by government and aviation officials. 

“We have voluntarily decided to limit our 5G network around airports,” Verizon said in a statement.

It is unclear which airports will be impacted by the announcement.

Airline industry CEOs have been vocal about the impact of 5G on the industry warning of a “catastrophic” aviation crisis as they said 5G service could interfere with the sensitive aircraft instruments used in low-visibility landings. 

The deployment of 5G brings with it new combinations of power levels, frequencies, proximity to airline operations and other factors. In December, the airlines warned 5G could wreak havoc on landing in bad weather.