5G is the much-anticipated high-frequency wireless technology that delivers high-bandwidth data with very little latency. It’s a popular technology that delivers high value services such as video streaming directly to handheld devices but operates on frequencies that are very close to those used by critical aircraft systems, notably radar altimeters. Radar altimeters measure the height of aircraft above ground level, and they’re a fundamental instrument for both autopilot operation and piloted flying of airplanes to safe landings. Today’s commercial airplanes can land in reduced or even no visibility thanks to high levels of automation. Interference from 5G signals has caused significant flight disruptions in US airspace, despite the years of lead time before the actual rollout of 5G services. Why? Jim Anderton comments.

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