The Sky is Falling
Over the last few years you might have heard the term 5G network. It is the latest generation telecommunication standard for broadband cellular networks. It promises to deliver faster speed, more connected devices and more colors in the rainbow. Okay, the last item depends on the marketing messaging from various companies, promoting the wonders of the new technology.
As with all new technology, there are always issues to be resolved. Some issues are technical. Some are more business-focused. Some issues are even political.
Because of its design, the 5G networks are expected to connect not only our cell phones, but an untold number of devices, commonly called IoT (Internet of Things). These devices could be built into everything from self-driving cars to your dog.
Obviously, any manufacturer of the 5G equipment stands to make a sizable profit. The major manufacturers include Altiostar, Cisco Systems, Datang Telecom, Ericsson, Huawei, Nokia, Qualcomm, Samsung, and ZTE.
They see the upside, but there is a downside. With 5G’s massive impact on the future of communications, there comes an outsized security risk. That was the reason why equipment from Huawei and ZTE was recently banned by several countries.
The other recent headlines are around the 5G network impact on air travel security. The problem started when the Federal Communications Commission(FCC) auctioned the 5G spectrum for more than $80 billions. This was despite the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) raising serious concerns.
The radio frequency which the 5G network is using is very close to the frequency used by equipment that helps airplanes land in bad visibility. It is also close to the radio frequencies used by weather satellites. This was a major technical issue. It was also something which you would have expected to be resolved years ago. It wasn't.
Notoriously unreliable weather forecasts are made for water cooler conversations. We’re used to that.
But an airplane with its nose firmly stuck in the ground and dead people scattered around the runway is bad PR.
AT&T and Verizon are about to turn on the 5G network US-wide. However, they are voluntarily suspending the 5G rollout around airports. They don't want to lose customers. They also want to avoid legal costs.
The FAA together with the airline industry is quickly verifying and certifying equipment which is safe from 5G interference. Most of the airplanes made by Boeing and Airbus are already cleared to operate. The bigger issue is with the smaller manufacturers and their customers. It will take time before their equipment is upgraded and certified. How long? That is a question of time and money.
This issue could have been easily avoided years ago. There was a lack of communication, collaboration and cooperation. That was compounded by the hope that problems would go away if left alone. These are the reasons why this simple thing made major international headlines. But at its core, it is the leadership with lack of vision and ability to execute who is at fault. And that's the recurrent pattern.
PS. Fortunately we can also expect something similar in coming years as the next generation 6G network is in the works. Meanwhile, an even more famously, renowned world marketing genius is working on 9G network. If that weren’t enough, people are already talking about how 10G will change everything, forever.