5G will adversely affect weather predictions: Meteorologists in the US

5G frequencies for mobile communication has been a subject for a lot of debates. While it will be a game changer when it comes to communication, a number of experts have pointed out the adverse health effects it could cause. 

Now, meteorologists in the US are worried that implementation of 5G will adversely affect weather predictions. The 1675-1680 MHz band, which can be used for 5G communication, is currently being used by weather forecasters to download data from satellites.

As the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) releases plans to auction this band for mobile communications to be used alongside weather satellites, American Geophysical Union, American Meteorological Society and National Weather Association are not happy sharing this frequency band as they believe it will interfere with their activity.

They have jointly written to the FCC saying that sharing this band could seriously interfere with and delay important weather information to the public
Internet-of-Things Company Ligado Networks, wants to use the same frequency to communicate with their satellite arguing that the forecasters could use Internet services to download weather data.

But National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has argued against such a move saying that data download speeds could be slow as they believe that both these things can coexist together.

The sharing of spectrum between the weather satellites and mobile communication was first proposed under the Obama administration four years ago. However, the current Trump administration has pushed for it aggressively.

Science & Technology India