"Airlines operating in the US may have to upgrade their aircraft radio altimeters again at a cost of billions of dollars, to avoid potential interference with cell networks following the Trump administration's decision last year to auction off additional spectrum to bidders."
"Those requirements are for altimeters to able to withstand interference from wireless signals in neighboring spectrum bands, while continuing to provide accurate altitude readings to both pilots and integrated aircraft safety systems."
"FAA expects future wireless services in the Upper C-band aligned with service rules in the Lower C-band to cause interference to current RA systems. Existing RA systems are not compatible with this envisioned use, and airworthiness directives issued by FAA in 2023 are insufficient to address"
"And the cost for all this? The FAA estimates the total bill to retrofit aircraft with interference-tolerant altimeters will be $4.49 billion, or $424 million annualized at a 7 percent discount rate over 20 years."
US airlines face mandated upgrades to aircraft radio altimeters under a proposed FAA regulation requiring minimum performance to resist interference. The requirement aims to ensure altimeters continue providing accurate altitude readings to pilots and integrated safety systems despite wireless signals in neighboring spectrum. The change follows FCC plans to auction at least 100 MHz, possibly up to 180 MHz, of the Upper C-band (3.98–4.2 GHz) adjacent to the 4.2–4.4 GHz altimeter band. The FAA estimates retrofit costs at $4.49 billion ($424 million annualized over 20 years). The spectrum auction directive originated in last year’s federal budget legislation.
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