News of a trial testing out 5G connectivity that was announced as successfully integrated into an aircraft, poses a wider question about how close we are to bringing 5G capabilities into aeroplanes.
The trial between Stratospheric Platforms Limited (SPL) and Britten-Norman confirmed that the development of the 5G phased array antenna was successfully integrated, but mentioned that the next step would be to demonstrate the technology using a connection to a UK-based 5G telecommunications network, demonstrating that it is still in its early testing phase.
In the announcement, Richard Deakin, CEO at SPL said: “Our commitment to delivering high-altitude, zero-carbon, long-endurance communication platforms will revolutionise how the world stays connected, especially in remote and underserved regions … Today’s flight test is an important step in the continuing validation of our technology breakthroughs.”
The technology that means you can access Wi-Fi on aircraft to connect to the Internet or stream films is currently enabled through air-to-ground, which needs cell towers to transmit signals, or satellite connectivity, in which aircraft equipped with antennas send and receive signals from satellites.
Why isn’t 5G currently available on aircraft?
5G connectivity, which was officially launched in 2020, is tricker to enable on an aeroplane compared with using your phone in your own home. This is because 5G operates at higher frequencies than previous generations which has the potential to interfere with avionics systems which are essential for navigation and communication. Making sure 5G doesn’t interfere with these signals spells lengthy testing and certification.
Other issues which challenge the rollout of 5G connectivity include infrastructure and coverage, as existing 5G networks rely on a dense infrastructure of small cells and antennas for coverage. Creating a network on a global scale is a major challenge. Additionally, aircraft are equipped with specific communication systems that may not be immediately compatible with 5G. Upgrading or replacing these systems may be costly and time-consuming.
In the collaboration between SPL and Britten-Norman, SPL was responsible for developing airborne antennas which can deliver 5G coverage. Britten-Norman provided an aircraft it said was well-suited for dealing with the “significant demands” placed by “the large and complex nature of the system”.
Other points to mention are the regulatory and safety considerations: introducing 5G connectivity to the aviation sector needs the sign off from multiple regulatory bodies which includes aviation authorities and telecommunications regulators, to ensure 5G connectivity, once possible, is safe for use on aircraft and doesn’t interfere.
In 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced the completion of work to ensure that radio signals transmitted from wireless telecommunications systems could peacefully coexist with flight operations within the US; a demonstration of how the deployment of new technologies may need to be mitigated to avoid disruption, particularly for flights.
In January 2023, the FAA proposed an Airworthiness Directive (AD) to allow aviation and the 5G C-Band to coexist. The directive requires aircraft in the US after February 2024 to be equipped to safely operate around 5G C-Band wireless signals. Prior to this point, the FAA had agreed with Verizon and AT&T to delay C-Band and 5G usage until 1 July 2023.
Finally, the cost of implementation and market demand need to be taken into account. Deploying 5G connectivity will require significant investment in new infrastructure, on the ground and within planes. Although there is increasing demand for high-speed in-flight connectivity from passengers, airline operators will need to assess how they might be able to monetise 5G services, especially if the cost of deployment has been significant.
How close are we to 5G connectivity in planes?
This is the big ticket question, and the answer is not entirely clear. Although projects and development of technology is ongoing, the aforementioned issues facing 5G connectivity in aeroplanes mount a fairly large hurdle.
The European Union’s plan to mandate the installation of 5G connectivity in all aircraft meant airlines could provide 5G technology on board.
This plan dates back to 2022, which represented an update on its previous implementing decision to reserve certain frequencies for communications on planes to include 5G too. “The sky is no longer a limit when it comes to possibilities offered by super-fast, high-capacity connectivity,” said Thierry Breton, Commissioner for the Internal market at the time of announcement.
However, although garnering attention for the potential of 5G connectivity would bring, seemingly there has been very little progress. A report recently published by Transforma Insights cited this mandate and said in comparison, the US is proving more hesitant on 5G adoption.
The announcement of SPL and Britten-Norman testing out a 5G phased array antenna is one example of how the potential of using 5G technology in planes is attracting companies to address these issues head on.
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