News
KAUST Mathematical Model Tackles 5G Interference With Aircraft
The simulations showed that one tower inside the exclusion zone could reduce 5G efficiency by 20%, and up to 50% with three towers.
As 5G networks expand worldwide, concerns over aviation safety have sharpened. At the center is the risk that 5G signals may interfere with aircraft radio altimeters — instruments critical for determining altitude during landings and in low-visibility conditions. A research team at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has now come up with a mathematical model to prevent such conflicts, aiming to protect aviation systems while preserving strong network performance.
The study, published in IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, introduces the idea of an ideal exclusion zone. These zones define areas near airports where higher-frequency 5G signals should be restricted to reduce interference. The approach offers regulators a framework for balancing passenger safety with mobile connectivity demands.
Led by Professor Mohamed-Slim Alouini, the KAUST team is the first to use stochastic geometry — a mathematical tool for modelling random network layouts — to forecast how 5G transmissions might overlap with radio altimeter signals. “5G operates near the same bandwidth as aircraft radio altimeters, which may cause signal interference,” explained Alouini. “This highlights the need to establish exclusion zones to reduce interference levels”.
The research suggests that triangular-shaped exclusion zones provide the best compromise, offering effective shielding for altimeters while limiting the impact on mobile networks. Within these areas, regulators could allow only lower-frequency signals, keeping higher-frequency bands that are more prone to interference outside the zone.
Also Read: Whish Money Partners With Mastercard For Cross Border Payments
Simulation results underscored the stakes. A single 5G tower placed inside the exclusion zone was shown to reduce overall efficiency by 20%, while three towers could slash performance by as much as 50%.
The project, supported by Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST), positions the Kingdom at the forefront of a global debate. As countries refine their 5G rollout strategies, KAUST’s framework could help regulators worldwide protect aviation safety without stalling digital infrastructure progress.
News
Lebanon Ministers Meet Visa Over National Digital Payment Platform
Finance and technology ministers say a comparative study and roadmap will follow before any decision on adopting a model.
Lebanon’s finance and technology ministers met representatives from Visa last week to discuss a proposed unified national digital payment platform for government services, according to a readout from the Ministry of Finance.
The meeting brought together Finance Minister Yassin Jaber, Minister of State for Technology and Artificial Intelligence Kamal Shehadeh, a Visa delegation, and experts from both ministries. Discussion focused on whether Lebanon could establish a single platform through which citizens and institutions would pay taxes, fees, fines and other official transactions electronically, using mobile phones and other digital channels.
The Visa delegation presented examples from countries that have adopted unified government payment platforms, including the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Estonia and Jordan. According to the readout, the examples were presented as having increased collection rates and expanded financial inclusion.
Talks covered settlement mechanisms, direct transfer to the treasury account, financial reconciliation, risk management, cybersecurity, fees, and an operational model that would involve the private sector. The parties agreed to continue technical and institutional consultations, prepare a comparative study, and develop an implementation roadmap before any decision on adopting a model for Lebanon.
Jaber said the Ministry of Finance had already enabled citizens to pay using credit cards and e-wallets through transfer companies, but described the proposed platform as a further step. He framed the development of electronic payment and collection systems as a priority within the ministry’s modernization plan.
Also Read: Deezer Says AI Tracks Now Make Up 44% Of Uploads
Shehadeh outlined the citizen-facing concept as a single mobile application through which users could settle obligations to ministries, government institutions and other bodies.
“The idea, in short, is that any citizen downloads an application on their mobile phone, through which they can pay all service obligations for all ministries, government institutions, or those owned by the Lebanese state, and others as well, as the platform is not limited only to state institutions,” he said.
Shehadeh added that the platform would not displace banks and money transfer companies that currently provide collection services to the state, calling it complementary to their work.
Lebanon Ministers Meet Visa Over National Digital Payment Platform
AltoVolo Releases Sigma Footage & Sets Date For Demonstrator
Careem Launches Lebanon Aid Drive With WFP
United Arab Emirates To Quit OPEC After 59 Years
YouTube Tests Conversational AI Search Tool
Yango Ride Introduces In-Chat Trip Planning In ChatGPT
Deezer Says AI Tracks Now Make Up 44% Of Uploads
NVIDIA Puts GPT-5.5 Codex In Hands Of 10,000 Staff
United Arab Emirates To Quit OPEC After 59 Years
