What is 5G and is it Safe to Use on Planes?

5G is a leap forward in wireless technology, providing data speeds up to 100 times faster than 4G. So why is this seemingly revolutionary tech raising concern in the aviation industry?

PRODUCTION CREDITS:

Digital Producer:
Emily Zendt
Production Assistance:
Christina Monnen
Shota Weaver

Additional footage:
Science Museum, London / Wikimedia / CC BY 4.0

Archival:
Storyblocks

Music:
APM

© WGBH Educational Foundation 2022

[Studycase]

Refreshing✨ This is the second open reasonable conversation I've experienced today. The other was about Geo electromagnetic and solar flair effects on everything from satellites to wildlife. Two hot topics for speculation to actual conspiracy. Are we pulling our collective heads from our butts and beginning to openly just say - Science - let's collect more data and keep these conversations active and up to date with open*, curious minds.

[joshuajones]

So wait, they could possibly install filters on these older altimeters? 5G just snuck up on the airlines, then? They've had at least a decade to prepare for this, have they not?

[James_Knott]

5G can be on any existing cell band, as well as the new bands at 3.5 GHz (C band) and millimetre wave (mmW) ~28 GHz. Only the C band has the potential to interfere with altimeters, which operate on adjacent frequency. However, it has been determined that only a few older models of altimeter have the problem and they are easily fixed by adding a filter, so this is no longer anything to worry about.

[levelletate]

When does Tech progress stop? And safety start?

[MohammedShafiq]

No 5G is using mm wavelength currently, a wavelength of 3.8 ghz is 7.88cm
Very disappointing from PBS not to get this correct

[ohhhmaria]

The main concern is not merely about the signal but about the security threats, Control, and data leaks.

[Vector_Ze]

I have no real interest in 5G. Heck, I don't even own a smartphone. But, I recall the last few times I flew, in 2006 and 2007. At that time, airlines were requesting ALL electronic devices be powered down and stowed during takeoff and landing. It seemed absurd to me at the time that my non-transmitting digital camera, voice recorder, or camcorder should be items of concern.
Someone suggested the real issue might be having these loose consumer electronics items unsecured in the event of a crash, flying about the cabin and possibly injuring people. Yeah, that's likely not the first thing on my mind in a plane crash, but okay.

[jlee]

Why are you dumbing down the technical content so much?

[m.lynnelightowler]

I find it curious that a method of communicating like 5G, has not yet been tested with plane radio altimeters in the years in which it was being developed. And only now, with its implementation is a concern at last being voiced. Odd process. Blessings.

[WilliamTMusil]

Cause it is not 'new' technology. it is the reuse of pre-existing VHF spectrum (ie: the low numbered analog TV channels we no longer have). It is the conflict of legacy systems based on adjacent VHF spectrum still in use in some of our airspace that should have been replaced and/or updated a long time ago. The 'new' tech is using the same spectrum, which was supposed to be carved out specifically for this 'new' use. This was cause by airlines and airports 'saving money', by not maintaining and modernizing their infrastructure. Of course, saving money really means, lining pockets.

[rascallyrabbit]

And all this time I've been told they are death rays

[fvckyoutubescensorshipandt]

/shrug. don't let planes hold back progress and just accept a higher statistical average of plane crashes. People will either accept the risk or simply stop flying and take a slower mode of transportation and plan around that. I haven't took a plane since 2001 and now would just take a bus if I had some dumb reason to leave my apartment and was too far to walk, it's not that big of a deal even with the higher risk of death compared to a plane and is far cheaper as well.

[tumbleddry]

I'm all for 5G and upgrades to our technology, but : So what if some idiot (and we have many) decides to turn on their phone ( as they do now) during landing. If 5G beams directly to the user couldn't that be a interference vector (or several depending on who all turns on their phone) pointed directly at the plane? Updating the tech of our out-dated aircraft radio altimeters could be a place to start eliminating problems before they occur.

[wenmcbrainvansandt]

Stop flying, turn off your cellphone and read a book, turn off your computer and do some exercise instead. Free your mind and be humble and kind.

[jeffdavis]

*Only one decent comment here so far, thanks **#Nick_Auclair**.*

[MyTubeUtoo]

I use to *LOVE* NOVA, at least until their 9/11 episode. They literally pushed the "pancake collapse" theory, which is known to have been impossible, but the NOVA animation of the tower's collapse still used it and just showed the center columns fade away, as there was/is no way to explain them away in that theory.

[kaydog]

We already use laser's or gps to measure distance. Why aren't they changing with the times like the rest of us. It's always about their money their cost. Their so greedy.🤔👍

[i_am_a_freespirit]

My sister thinks it's killing our birds, because of the strong signal emitted, their systems can't handle it. Is that true?

[preddy]

For every flat-earther, there's a 5G-demonizer.

[cornholio]

If Boeing has more excuses to crash, smh