Mobile operators have been advised to create a buffer and safety zone and not set up any 5G sites in the C-band in and around the airports across the country. The Department of Telecommunications’ (DoT) advisory is in view of safety concerns for aircraft operations.
The DoT has asked telecom companies to avoid installing any 5G sites in the 3,300-3,670 MHz band (C-band) within 2.1 kilometres of both ends of runway at any airport. While 5G base stations can be setup in the periphery of 540 meter after this 2.1 kms range, power emission has to restricted to 58 dBm/MHz, the DoT said in letters to Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea.
“The measures shall be adopted by the telecom service providers with immediate effect and would be applicable till the replacement of all aircraft radio altimeters filters is ensured by DGCA,” DoT said in the letter, seen by Economic Times.
This simply implies that users won’t be able to access 5G in areas surrounding airports. For example, the areas around Delhi’s IGI Airport like Vasant Kunj and Dwarka won’t get 5G network.
In addition, the telecommunications department has also asked telecom providers to ensure downward tilting of 5G base stations to an extent such that the 5G emissions do not interfere with radio altimeters. Meanwhile, DoT expects DGCA to proactively ensure the replacement of altimeters to proactively ensure this in a time-bound and expeditious manner.
“DGCA is requested to inform DoT as soon as the above task is complete to enable lifting of the restrictions,” the letter said.
The 5G frequency interference with radar altimeter frequency band is a concern in aircraft operations and the US Federal Aviation Administrator (FAA) had in January warned red flagged 5G signals in the C spectrum band could interfere with aircraft altimeter systems.
Similar concerns were also raised by a section of India’s aviation industry, including Federation of Indian Pilots.
India conducted the auction of 5G spectrum in the C-band – in the 3.3-3.67 GHz range – main bandwidth for the next generation technology. Aircraft altimeter systems, typically operate in the nearby 4.2-4.4 GHz range. Aircraft systems use altimeters to detect their precise height above the ground. These equipment are essential particularly during flight take-off and landing maneuvers.
Meanwhile, 5G services in India were rolled out on October 1 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in select Indian cities.
