nanog mailing list archives

Re: FCC vs FAA Story


From: "John R. Levine" <johnl () iecc com>
Date: 6 Jun 2022 10:55:39 -0400

And here are some actual test results: 
https://www.rtca.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/SC-239-5G-Interference-Assessment-Report_274-20-PMC-2073_accepted_changes.pdf

People who understand radios don't think much of that report or the similar AVSI one. If its claims were true, planes would be falling out of the sky before anyone turned on a C band radio. See, for example:

https://www.fiercewireless.com/5g/rational-decisions-needed-c-band-and-altimeters-industry-voices-rysavy

Look, we understand that altimeters are safety critical equipment. We also understand that after the FCC's little experiment with self-regulation at Boeing, they're ultra cautious now. On the other hand, you probably saw that after a string of apocalyptic warnings earlier this year about shutting down all air traffic the FAA said, well, actually, the altimeters in every plane flying commercial routes are OK.

Five years ago everyone knew that C band was coming. A reasonable response would have been for the FAA to work with the FCC to figure out which altimeters might be affected (old cruddy ones, we now know), and come up with a plan and schedule to replace them. If the telcos had to pay some of the costs, they would have grumbled but done it. If the replacement schedule weren't done by now, they could live with that, too, so long as there were a clear date when it'd be done.

Instead the FAA stuck their fingers in their ears and said no, nothing can ever change, we can't hear you. Are you surprised the telecom industry is fed up?

Regards,
John Levine, johnl () taugh com, Primary Perpetrator of "The Internet for Dummies",
Please consider the environment before reading this e-mail. https://jl.ly


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