IS THE 5G NETWORK REALLY BAD FOR HUMAN HEALTH?

 

The 5G network, or or fifth generation is the current generation of mobile data transmission that which delivers faster internet speeds and a more stable connection than its predecessors. For anyone who uses their phone for work or to connect with others, this next generation is well-worth the upgrade.

The freedom of moving completely off the grid is finally a reality. The 5g network has opened up for public use, and offers unlimited data connectivity through the air with no line of sight required. Imagine the endless possibilities at your fingertips when you have a digital connection everywhere you go, from the mountains to the beach.

As 5G wireless technology is slowly making its way across the globe, many government agencies and organizations advise that there is no reason to be alarmed about the effects of radio-frequency waves on our health. But some experts strongly disagree.

The frequency spectrum of 5G is divided into millimeter waves, mid-band, and low-band. Low-band uses a similar frequency range as the predecessor, 4G. 5G millimeter wave is the fastest, with actual speeds often being 1–2 Gbit/s down. Frequencies are above 24 GHz, reaching up to 72 GHz, which is above the extremely high-frequency band's lower boundary. The reach is short, so more cells are required. Millimeter waves have difficulty traversing many walls and windows, so indoor coverage is limited.

5G mid-band is the most widely deployed, in over 30 networks. Speeds in a 100 MHz wide band are usually 100–400 Mbit/s down. In the lab and occasionally in the field, speeds can go over a gigabit per second. Frequencies deployed are from 2.4 GHz to 4.2 GHz. Sprint and China Mobile are using 2.5 GHz, while others are mostly between 3.3 and 4.2 GHz. Many areas can be covered simply by upgrading existing towers, which lowers the cost. Mid-band networks have better reach, bringing the cost close to the cost of 4G. 5G low-band offers similar capacity to advanced 4G.

But what does 5G have to do with our health?

In this Spotlight, we look at what electromagnetic radiation is, how it can impact our health, the controversy surrounding radiofrequency networks, and what this means for the advent of 5G technology.

What Is Electromagnetic Radiation?

In physics, electromagnetic radiation consists of waves of the electromagnetic field, propagating through space and carrying electromagnetic radiant energy. It includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared, light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays. All of these waves form part of the electromagnetic spectrum. (Wikipedia)

What are the potential health risk from 5G?

To date, and after much research performed, no adverse health effect has been causally linked with exposure to wireless technologies. Health-related conclusions are drawn from studies performed across the entire radio spectrum but, so far, only a few studies have been carried out at the frequencies to be used by 5G...

6G is the next generation wireless network that will connect people, devices and things together at super-fast speeds. 5G is a short-term marketing name for some of the technological building blocks emerging from standards development to enable next-generation wireless service. These building blocks include: millimeter wave spectrum, massive MIMO, and full duplex radios.

World Health Organization (WHO) is conducting a health risk assessment from exposure to radiofrequencies, covering the entire radiofrequency range, including 5G, to be published by the end of 2022.