Submitted via IRC for SoyCow4463
The FCC recently auctioned spectrum in the 24GHz band under controversial circumstances, as experts from other federal agencies warned that cellular transmissions in that band may significantly reduce the accuracy of weather forecasts.
When asked about the controversy at yesterday's Senate Commerce Committee hearing, Pai said that data provided by NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is faulty. He also criticized the agencies for raising concerns "at the 11th hour."
Calling NOAA's study "fundamentally flawed," Pai said, "For example, it ignores the fact that 5G will involve beamforming, essentially adaptive antenna arrays that will more precisely send 5G signals—sort of a rifle shot, if you will, instead of a shotgun blast of 5G spectrum."
See also: 5G likely to mess with weather forecasts, but FCC auctions spectrum anyway
(Score: 1) by Coward, Anonymous on Tuesday June 18 2019, @06:56PM
Scientists can be pretty obstinate if they decide something is a problem and they don't want to solve it. On the other hand, a regulator who is in the industry's pocket will be too cavalier about the risks.
Astronomers have been impacted by unwanted light and radio emissions for decades. I guess NOAA types emphasize the public safety aspects of their work, but the willingness of scientists to over-hype their own work should not be underestimated.