Govt Asks Telcos To Stop 5G Services In High-Frequency Bands Around Airports: Report

The directive has been issued amid fears that high-frequency 5G bands might interfere with the navigation instruments on aircraft.

Only Airtel has installed 5G services at selected airports

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The Department of Telecom (DoT) has ordered telecom operators to shut down 5G services in high-frequency bands in and around airports after a request by the Civil Aviation Ministry, reported PTI. The directive has been issued amid fears that high-frequency 5G bands being used by telecom companies might interfere with the navigation instruments on board most aeroplanes.

After the Aviation Ministry provided details of the buffer and safety zone, the DoT asked telecom operators not to install 5G base stations in the 3.3-3.6 GHz band in the area of 2.1 kilometers from both ends of the runway and 910 meters from the centre line of the runway of Indian airports with immediate effect.

"Telecom operators will need to shut down 5G service in the 3.3-3.6 GHz band only in and around airports based on the order. It is a temporary restriction. The services can be restored after DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) ensures that altimeters at all aircraft have been replaced. DGCA has not shared any timeline for completing the replacement exercise," PTI quoted an official as saying.

A DoT notice dated November 29 asked the telecom operators to tilt down 5G base stations to avoid interference of 5G signals with that of altimeters.

Altimeters help pilots maintain the desired height of the aircraft. The DoT in the notice also said that DGCA is expected to complete the altimeter replacement exercise in a proactive and time-bound manner.

“Further, DGCA should communicate geo-coordinates of four corners of all the airstrips where such limitations or restrictions are required to be placed on 5G systems, within 30 days from issue of this letter,” the notice dated November 29 said.

The report said that DoT has requested DGCA to provide a timeline for the replacement of altimeters and their filters with a cut-off date.

Only Airtel has installed 5G services at selected airports, including Patna, Bengaluru, Pune, Varanasi, and Nagpur.