In the April of 2020, the United Kingdom saw the circulation of a strange hoax – that newly built 5G towers were somehow spreading COVID-19 and were the root cause of the pandemic, leading to several 5G masts being vandalised or destroyed in the country.
While somewhat comedic, the unfortunate reality is misleading narratives around 5G can work to discredit the potential health risks that might arise from exposure to 5G and its related technologies.
As such, in this article, we’ll be looking at 5G technology, its advantages over our current 4G network, its implementation, and the safety concerns that might arise from frequent exposure to 5G’s higher frequency band waves.
Table of Contents
What Is 5G?
5G marks the 5th generation of wireless telecommunication and is the successor to the 4G wireless technology that we commonly use today.
The primary advantage 5G has over its predecessor is its higher bandwidth, offering speedier downloads up to 10 gigabits per second, allowing you to watch a 4K video in mere seconds.
Apart from that, 5G technology also promises lower latency for better network responsiveness and the ability to connect multiple devices at once (sensors and smart devices).
From a technology perspective, 5G tech differs from 4G in it uses higher frequency band waves that are less cluttered and are thus able to achieve higher speeds.
However, these waves have a shorter range and are more liable to being physically blocked by physical objects such as trees and buildings – which means building more 5G towers to boost signal and capacity across the network.
5G Advantages Over 4G
- Higher network speed at 100 times faster
- Lower latency (shorter response times)
- Faster download speeds
- Reduced dependency on landlines
- Higher network capacity (able to handle more high-demand applications simultaneously)
Where and How Is 5G Being Used?
The defining feature of 5G is its aim to promote further compatibility and support future services in a flexible and advanced manner that was unachievable by previous networks.
While still in its infancy, the applications of 5G are vast and can be used across different types of connected services. These include the Internet of Things (IoT), critical communications such as air traffic, and enhanced cell phone broadband.
Along with making smartphones faster, 5G technology is designed to usher in the latest immersive experiences such as augmented and virtual reality (AR and VR, respectively) with more uniform and faster data rates at lower per-bit cost.
On top of that, there is an increased demand to make 5G available indoors. 5G coverage is placed as a higher priority than battery life or speed by most 5G users, with most being willing to spend more to get coverage.
In short, 5G technology can let its users reach new horizons in terms of speed, network connectivity, and communications.
Is 5G Safe?
It’s still too early to determine whether or not exposure to 5G will have adverse effects on our health. Most medical experts would say that there is no evidence proving that commercial telecommunication waves such as 5G are harmful.
Conversely, there is no long-term definitive evidence proving that 5G is 100% safe for humans, especially when the technology is new.
With the deployment of 5G viewed as a major concern, groups of citizens in some countries have been trying to implement a moratorium until thorough research on adverse effects on human health and the environment has been performed.
Preventive Measures For 5G
While there is no need to start tearing down 5G towers on the chance that they affect the health of you or your loved ones, there’s no harm in taking precautionary measures to protect yourself from the EMFs generated from 5G towers and devices.
- Be smart with smartphone usage and only have the signal on when necessary.
- Avoid placing your phone near your head.
- Place your phone away from your body and pockets when possible.
- Avoid frequenting areas with a large concentration of 5G cell towers.
- Have your electronics off at night.
- If you must be near 5G sources, consider purchasing EMF protection apparel, such as an anti-radiation beanie or an EMF belly band for added protection during pregnancy.
5G in Summary
From faster download speeds to better connectivity and communications, 5G will undoubtedly revolutionise the way people and devices communicate.
However, the higher levels of EMF exposure 5G implementation could bring should be a reasonable concern for many individuals. The technology must go through more rigorous screening measures before being applied for widespread use.