The French Civil Aviation Authority urges that mobile phones with this technology be kept switched off or in aeroplane mode during flights

5G devices could interfere with aircraft displays

photo_camera AFP/MAHMUD TURKIA - Image of Libyan aircraft

5G devices could interfere with the functioning of altimeters, the pilot-monitored indicator that measures the distance between the aircraft and the ground, according to French civil aviation authorities. It is therefore recommended that mobile phones with this technology be switched off or, at the very least, kept in aeroplane mode.

The use of 5G devices on board aircraft could generate the risk of interference leading to possible errors in altitude measurements," said a spokesman for the French Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC) in a statement reported by the AFP news agency.

The agency added that "interference of the signal by a wave of close frequency and power comparable to or higher than that of the radio altimeters" would cause errors in the indicator "particularly critical during landing phases". The French administration issued a bulletin on this issue last week, aimed at flight operators, informing them of the roadmap to follow in these cases.

All 5G mobile phones will have to be kept switched off or in aeroplane mode from now on. In addition, in the event of a disruption to the indicator, "crews must inform the air traffic service provider so that the latter can take the necessary operational actions and alert the control authority as well as the airport manager".

These measures were a prerequisite for the vast majority of flights, mainly during take-off and landing of the aircraft. Previous generations of mobile networks interfere with navigation and communication equipment on board the aircraft; however, some flights have begun to allow the use of mobile phones and even have masts on board to allow passengers to make calls.

The agency is restricting use for the time being. It has said it will continue to monitor signals from 5G base stations, as well as test their impact on flights.  The DGAC also indicated that it has "defined the conditions for the deployment of 5G antennas on the territory in order to control these risks of interference with on-board systems during landing phases at French airports".

The agency also limits the power of emissions from the more than 8,500 5G antennas deployed throughout France. "For the other 123 airports in the territory, surveillance of the antennas deployed in the vicinity is carried out in close coordination with the National Frequency Agency (ANFR) with reinforced means of action allowing rapid action" in case of a disturbance alert, the French administration stressed this week.

5G technology uses higher frequencies than current networks, which extend the capacity to connect more devices and at a higher speed than its predecessor. However, they require more connection points.

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