The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has assuaged fears about safe flight operations as a result of the fifth-generation (5G) mobile network rollout, stating that there is no cause for concern.
This comes on the heels of the recent significant cancellation of foreign flights to the United States following the country’s rollout of the mobile network.
The 5G network, which promises a more user-friendly internet experience, is reported to interfere with aircraft.
According to experts, the frequency C-band utilized in 5G is nearly identical to the frequency used in current aircraft and the radio altimeter fitted aboard aircraft that informs the pilot to the height above the ground when he is about to land or take off.
According to Capt. Musa Nuhu, Director General of the NCAA, the matter is not yet a concern for Nigeria.
“For us in Nigeria, we don’t have an auto-landing authorisation, and our flights don’t do auto-landing,” he explained. So, for the time being, it is of no concern to us, but we are still monitoring the situation to see how it develops, and if there are any difficulties that may affect us, we will take the required measures.”
According to him, it was not true that the United States had delayed the rollout of 5G, but rather that it had been restricted away from airports.
Nuhu further stated that a vital component is known as a radio altimeter and that the frequency on which this equipment function is similar to that of 5G.
“As a result, they are concerned about radio altimeter interference and giving aircraft erroneous indications during aircraft approach landing when they are around 2,500ft or so over the ground.” Typically, it is for flights that are forced to land.”