Fears of planes falling from the sky after Verizon and AT&T on Wednesday started activating a major part of their wireless 5G networks known as C-bands — so-called for operating in the microwave spectrum of frequencies ranging from 4 to 8 gigahertz — have so far failed to materialize.
The expanded signals will make Internet-connected phones run much faster than under 4G or LTE connections, the carriers said. Verizon said its new 5G signals will reach 90 million consumers in major metro areas, including Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties. AT&T expects 75 million people will have access to its C-band network by year’s end.
Following pleas from airlines worried that the 5G C-band signals could interfere with planes’ communications equipment, companies agreed to delay activating networks at towers near major airports, including those in Fort Lauderdale, Miami and West Palm Beach.
Read more from our news partner at The South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
