Is 5G Technology Dangerous For Health?

5G technology, as its acronym suggests, is the fifth generation of standards in mobile telephony. It must gradually replace the current 4G. But the arrival of 5G poses several ethical issues, in particular on cybersecurity or the storage and protection of private data, as well as health issues which are no less worrying. The news divides public opinion. If, according to telecommunications professionals, 5G is a technological advance that will revolutionize communication systems as we know them today, for others, it will be an unprecedented health disaster. Here is our file to learn more about 5G mobile technology and its impacts on health.

What is 5G technology?

5G technology is, as already explained, the 5th generation of mobile communications, which should allow mobile internet speeds of several gigabits per second, or light years from current networks. Added to this is the greatly reduced latency compared to 4G and improved signal stability and even more powerful, especially in saturated places. For reference, the current latency is around 35 milliseconds to one minute. 5G will reduce the latter to 1 millisecond. One of the most important advantages of the technology of the future is that everything can be connected to it: smartphones, tablets, PCs, connected gadgets and cars and residential internet access. It will also allow you to instantly load any audiovisual content at the top and in very high definition or to enjoy cloud gaming directly on your smartphone. GPS will be even more precise and will give a position with a margin of error of less than a meter.

5G technology: for when?

In France, the launch of 5G was scheduled for mid-April 2020. But ARCEP, which deals with telecommunications regulation, has just confirmed that the allocation of 5G frequencies to telecom operators is postponed because of the coronavirus. The commercial launch, scheduled for June, will certainly be delayed. At the moment, it is impossible to know the new timetable, because it is not known how long the current crisis will last. We will have to be patient.

Dangers of 5D technology: is there a link with the coronavirus?

In recent times, theories linking the spread of the novel coronavirus to 5G networks have continued to spread and multiply. Over the past week, several UK operators have suffered fires and vandalism sparked by conspiracy theories denouncing 5G as dangerous to our health. Rumors have it that the technology in question weakens the immune system, making us more vulnerable to COVID-19. Also in Britain, British celebrities echoed these theories by stating that the coronavirus had not arrived in Africa because 5G is not deployed there. As a result, several antennas were set on fire in Liverpool, Birmingham, Aighburth and Melling.

To denounce these theories, it suffices, first, to remember that the coronavirus is already present on the African continent and that thousands of cases have already been listed. It should also be noted that 5G has not yet been deployed in France and in many other countries, where COVID-19 has long been established.

In addition, there are the guidelines of ICNIRP, an international consortium, based in Germany, and composed of scientific experts. Their conclusions were drawn up after scientific workshops and a thorough review of all the relevant scientific literature. The recommended guidelines provide protection against all adverse health effects resulting from exposure to electromagnetic fields in the 100 kHz to 300 GHz spectrum. We focused particularly on millimeter waves, going beyond the 6 Ghz bands, which represent the highest frequencies of 5G. However, these waves remain well below the new maximum threshold defined by the ICNIRP. Scientists point out that high frequencies suffer from poorer range,because the waves penetrate the body less well. This means that the millimeter waves will not penetrate the epidermis, but rather will dissipate their energy on the skin.

For your information, the frequency bands that will be used for 5G sub-6 in France are as follows:

• n78: 3.5 GHz

Added to this are the mmWave frequency bands

• n258: 26 GHz

As well as the 4G LTE frequency bands reused for 5G:

• n1: 2100 MHz

• n3: 1800 MHz

• n7: 2600 MHz

• n20: 800 MHz

• n28: 700 MHz

In addition, a recent scientific study has shown that there is no link between 5G technology and the spread of the coronavirus. You can read more about the subject at the end of the article. If you are interested in knowing more about the myths surrounding COVID-19, just follow the link provided.



But is panic really disproportionate and unnecessary? It turns out that concerns about the 5th generation of mobile communications have also taken hold in Switzerland and Belgium. To prevent the installation of antennas, petitions, conferences and votes continue to multiply. It is feared that 5G waves will be added to those emitted by 3G, 4G, GPRS and GSM antennas. Although there is no 100% evidence that these frequencies have an adverse effect on health, studies, often contradictory, on long-term exposure to these frequencies, claim that there really is a risk. However, it is important to note that with each new network, various studies carried out over the years show that the increase in volts per meter has increased only negligibly. And, so far,there is no indication that the arrival of 5G bodes well for anything else.

It should also be noted that the fact that the WHO classifies the electromagnetic fields of the antennas as possible carcinogens does not necessarily mean that these waves cause cancer. The risk, if there is one, would be low and, to date, it has not been scientifically proven by any study.

In conclusion, there is no cause for concern at this time. But for this to remain the case, studies must be carried out over the deployment of 5G to verify, in the long term. It is important to know that the antennas of telecommunications networks are subject to power limits that operators are not allowed to exceed. Finally, don't be fooled by fake news or take unverified information at face value.

Discover the ICNIRP study here