WASHINGTON - Intensive talks were on Monday to try to get rid of an impasse between the US wireless firms and the aviation sector that could disrupt flights starting Wednesday.
On Sunday, AT&T and Verizon Communications rejected a request to delay the Jan 5 introduction of new 5 G wireless service over aviation safety concerns, but offered to temporarily adopt new safeguards.
The aviation industry and the FAA have raised concerns about possible interference of 5 G with sensitive aircraft electronics like radio altimeters that could disrupt flights.
AFA-CWA President Sara Nelson, representing 50,000 flight attendants at 17 airlines, urged wireless carriers to agree to a 10 day deployment delay to finalise precautions.
Nelson said Monday on MSNBC that they are hopeful that the telecom companies come to their senses today. We are not going to take off if the flights are potentially at risk. The carriers didn't give a response Monday as the talks continued with federal agencies.
AT&T CEO John Stankey and Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg had asked for a delay of up to two weeks, according to US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Federal Aviation Administration chief Steve Dickson.
The White House asked both carriers to give a short delay, officials briefed on the talks said. A White House spokeswoman wouldn't say anything.
Wireless companies said on Sunday they would not deploy 5 G around airports for six months but rejected any limitations on using C-Band spectrum. The FAA wants to keep the exclusion zone around airports as large as possible.
Trade group Airlines for America, representing American Airlines, FedEx and other carriers, had asked the Federal Communications Commission to halt deployment of many airports, warning thousands of flights could be disrupted daily.
The FAA is preparing to issue notices detailing restrictions on flights and airports because of potential interference.
The airline group warned that FAA safety restrictions will be very disruptive to airline passengers and the shipping public. Wireless carriers, which won the spectrum in an US $80 billion government auction, previously agreed to precautionary measures for six months to limit interference.