Aviation experts are urging for increased collaboration between the National Communications Authority (NCA) and the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) in the implementation of Ghana’s 5G network.
The introduction of 5G spectrum services poses significant risks to aviation safety, particularly due to potential interference with critical aircraft landing and safety systems such as radio altimeters, unless adequate mitigating measures are implemented before deployment.
Recent experiences from the rollout of C-band spectrum 5G services in the United States have highlighted substantial disruptions. However, successful deployments in countries like Brazil, Canada, France, and Thailand have demonstrated effective mitigation strategies to safeguard aviation safety and maintain uninterrupted services.
A key concern is the proximity of 5G C-Band antennas to airports and flight approach paths.
The degree of interference largely depends on factors such as the power of 5G transmitters, their distance from aircraft, and spectrum separation from radio altimeter frequencies.
This interference has the potential to impact critical onboard safety systems and aircraft landing precision and auto-land capabilities.
Both the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) emphasize the importance of protecting aviation systems from harmful interference, urging member states to ensure the integrity of existing aviation services.
During a GCAA Aeronautical Information Services (AIS) stakeholder workshop held at the new GCAA headquarters at Kotoka International Airport, panelists addressed concerns about Ghana’s 5G network rollout.
“The 5G network operates in a spectrum of the electromagnetic waves and initially this may affect the CNS infrastructure.
“We communicate using signals, navigation equipment also uses the same signal or a similar spectrum, initially, depending on how it is deployed, it may affect this infrastructure and what we will do as AIS is that we will rely on CNS to give us information concerning any interference to these CNS infrastructures and we of course will publish such information. If it calls for a NOTAM, we will publish that, if it calls for changes they (CNS) will do that and inform us so we publish that.”
They further called for a closer collaboration between the NCA and the GCAA to ensure a safe rollout of the technology.
“Definitely the CAA has a say when these networks are lodged. They (GCAA) would like to do their safety assessment to see if it (5G) won’t affect their existing infrastructure in the first place. So the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority will have a say, of course the National Communications Authority also has a say in that.”
Ghana to roll-out 5G broadband services by September
The Ghanaian government has awarded a 5G license to Next-Gen Infrastructure Company (NGIC) to provide cost-effective 5G mobile broadband services nationwide.
According to the GNA, the rollout of 5G services is expected by the third quarter of this year, aiming to transition mobile phone users into a new phase of digital connectivity. This initiative aims to advance Ghana towards achieving a fully digital society by 2030.