The FAA proposed a rule requiring U.S. carriers and private aircraft operators to retrofit radio altimeters to next‑generation standards ahead of planned upper C‑band spectrum sales and 5G activation, estimating a $4.49bn industry bill to ensure altimeters function reliably between 2029 and 2032.
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Briefing
The proposal would impose an estimated $4.49bn retrofit cost on U.S. carriers and private operators as the government prepares to expand and reassign the upper C‑band spectrum tied to next‑generation 5G services (timeline cited through 2029–2032).
Failure to upgrade risks degraded radio‑altimeter performance from 5G interference; IATA has warned that expiry of temporary mitigations re‑exposes commercial operations to safety and operational impacts, increasing urgency for coordinated action.
The rule adds near‑term retrofit demand and regulatory compliance pressure on airlines, avionics suppliers and MROs, alongside broader FAA modernization and spending plans such as the agency's recent commitments to ATC telecom and radar upgrades.
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