As 5G mobile phone services expand in Australia, the country's Civil Aviation Safety Authority looks to prevent 5G interference with radio altimeters.
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As 5G mobile phone services expand in Australia, the country’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) says it is “working closely with the Australian Communications and Media Authority [ACMA] to ensure things run smoothly,” regarding efforts to prevent interference with radio altimeters. “CASA is coordinating with ACMA so that the rollout of wireless broadband services, including 5G in the 3.7–4.0 GHz band can be done in a way that ensures the safety of aircraft in Australia.”
Radio altimeters operate in the 4.2–4.4 GHz range and mid-band 5G transmissions have been introduced without issue in several jurisdictions. However, U.S. concerns about possible interference with radio altimeters, particularly during take-off and landings, have resulted in directives limiting certain operations and equipment upgrade requirements on U.S. airliners.
"A range of mitigations will be in place on 5G deployments above 3.7 GHz until March 31, 2026,” the agency said. “The mitigations will restrict wireless broadband deployments in the 3.7–4.0 GHz band near runways and approaches at 21 airports nationally where landings using radio altimeters are permitted. There will also be limits on power and unwanted emissions."
According to CASA, “We do not expect to impose operational limits on operators during this interim period. However, operators will need to upgrade [radio altimeters] that do not meet minimum performance levels before the interim period ends on March 31, 2026. We will liaise with industry about the applicable performance standards for [radio altimeters] and available options for upgrading.“
Ongoing mitigations after March 31, 2026, will include a 200 MHz buffer between wireless broadband and radio altimeter frequencies as well as limits on power and unwanted emissions. Meanwhile, CASA is monitoring developments internationally as 5G is rolled out and says, “We are confident the interim measures put in place by ACMA will ensure continued safe aviation operations.”
As 5G mobile phone services expand in Australia, the country’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) says it is “working closely with the Australian Communications and Media Authority [ACMA] to ensure things run smoothly,” regarding efforts to prevent interference with radio altimeters. “CASA is coordinating with ACMA so that the rollout of wireless broadband services, including 5G in the 3.7–4.0 GHz band can be done in a way that ensures the safety of aircraft in Australia.”
Radio altimeters operate in the 4.2–4.4 GHz range and mid-band 5G transmissions have been introduced without issue in several jurisdictions. However, U.S. concerns about possible interference with radio altimeters, particularly during take-off and landings, have resulted in directives limiting certain operations and equipment upgrade requirements on U.S. airliners.
"A range of mitigations will be in place on 5G deployments above 3.7 GHz until March 31, 2026,” the agency said. “The mitigations will restrict wireless broadband deployments in the 3.7–4.0 GHz band near runways and approaches at 21 airports nationally where landings using radio altimeters are permitted. There will also be limits on power and unwanted emissions."
According to CASA, “We do not expect to impose operational limits on operators during this interim period. However, operators will need to upgrade [radio altimeters] that do not meet minimum performance levels before the interim period ends on March 31, 2026."