The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has rejected a proposal by telcos to roll out 5G services within airport premises through in-built connectivity solutions such as by the use of small cells.According to sources, the telecom operators had proposed using low radio frequency power output, which could be used to provide 5G services in seating areas in airports without transmitting any signals to the airstrip or runway.

The DGCA, however, was not satisfied with the arguments put forward by telcos for even experimenting with such solutions inside airports owing to fears that the frequency may interfere with aircraft altimeters and cause disruptions. An aircraft altimeter is an instrument that provides direct height-above-terrain information to various aircraft systems. 5G services were launched in the country in October last year, and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in November last year had asked telcos not to operate 5G base stations in the area of 2.1 km from both ends of runways and 910 m from the centre line of runways.

A few months ago, telcos represented by the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) had urged the DGCA to at least ask the airline carriers to complete the replacement of altimeters in 18 months from September 1, 2023. However, owing to supply constraints and priority of US and Europe markets, the aircraft makers have not been able to commit a deadline for aircraft within India.When contacted, COAI refused to comment on the matter.Officials said, in India it could take at least two years for 5G services around airports to start as currently, there is a heavy load on both aircraft and gear makers to fulfil the demands of the US and Europe markets for replacing the altimeters.

Several industry experts have argued that the 3300-3670 MHz band for 5G services allotted to telcos in the country will not interfere with the aircraft altimeters. However, since there is no proof or practicalities, the government wants to be doubly sure before taking any step.Earlier, the authorities had also decided to conduct a test on the same by designing a special aircraft and to check if 5G signals would interfere with it. However, the same has been kept in abeyance in the absence of its feasibility, officials said.

Considering the age of altimeters used in aircraft, government sources said it may allow signals to interfere even in the frequency of 3670 MHz, which is far away from the 4200 MHz band not auctioned in the country.Another challenge with regard to the issue is availability of enough evidence of interference, and the government’s inability to test the 5G interference on the runways as that would again involve risking passengers’ lives, the sources said.