AT&T and Verizon say they may voluntarily delay the deployment of their new C-Band 5G providers close to some US airports after a number of carriers, together with Delta, United and Southwest Airlines, wrote to the federal authorities to warn of potential flight delays because of the rollout. An AT&T spokesperson informed CNBC the provider was “frustrated” by the Federal Aviation Administration’s incapacity to soundly deploy the networking normal with out disrupting aviation providers, a feat the corporate mentioned 40 different international locations have finished with out problem.

Verizon shared AT&T’s sentiment. “We have voluntarily decided to limit our 5G network around airports,” the corporate said. “The Federal Aviation Administration and our nation’s airlines have not been able to fully resolve navigating 5G around airports, despite it being safe and fully operational in more than 40 other countries.”

In a letter obtained by Reuters, airways warned interference from 5G cell towers may have an effect on the protection gear on their planes. Devices like airplane altimeters, which pilots use to land when visibility is low, function on C-Band adjoining frequencies. Airlines requested that AT&T and Verizon not provide 5G service inside two miles of a number of the nation’s busiest airports. “Immediate intervention is needed to avoid significant operational disruption to air passengers, shippers, supply chain and delivery of needed medical supplies,” they mentioned.

Before airways despatched out the letter to authorities officers, AT&T and Verizon had agreed to ascertain buffer zones round 50 airports to cut back the chance of flight disruption. They additionally agreed to a month-long delay in December, after which an additional two-week delay in January, to present the FAA extra time to deal with any interference considerations.