5G stands for fifth generation mobile phone technology and will be available in 2020. The average download speed of 5G is about 1GBps (1 gigabyte per second), which means you could download an entire movie in about 1 second.
While this may appeal to people, 5G is also appealing to “things,” as in the “Internet of Things.” 4G has a 50ms delay or latency, whereas 5G has a 1ms delay, making communication between machines connected to the internet much easier. If this makes you think of Skynet from the Terminator movies, you’re not alone.
The electromagnetic spectrum. Credit: Philip Ronan/Wikimedia Commons
In addition to the question of whether these antennas are an eyesore, are small cell antennas safe? 5G radio waves are super high frequency and super strong. 1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G are 1 and 5 GHz The frequency is 5G twenty four and 90 GHz frequency.
Radio frequency radiation dissipates with distance, following an inverse square law, so nearby sources are much more dangerous than those that are far away. Duration of exposure also matters, and the new small cell antennas operate 24/7.
On June 9, 2017, scientists from the International EMF Scientists Appeal filed a brief with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) opposing FCC Cases Nos. 17-79 and 15-180, which would allow streamlined approvals for building 5G infrastructure on existing utility poles in greater numbers than current cell phone antennas.
The group is made up of over 225 leading scientists from over 41 countries who have published peer-reviewed papers on electromagnetic fields. Their letter urges the “FCC to carefully consider the potential impacts of 5G wireless infrastructure on the health and safety of the American public before proceeding with the deployment of this infrastructure.” The letter includes the following:
Vodafone 5G antenna
“The FCC is calling for an accelerated rollout schedule for widespread deployment of fifth-generation wireless infrastructure across the U.S. This is being done without a public health review of the growing scientific evidence, including reports of increased rates of cancer and neurological diseases that may be caused by exposure to EMF from wireless sources.”
The scientists further state: “A number of recent scientific publications have demonstrated that EMFs affect living organisms at levels well below most international and national guidelines.” These effects may include increased cancer risk, genetic damage, structural and functional changes to the reproductive system, learning and memory impairments, neurological disorders, etc.
5G radiation is similar to that emitted by microwaves
In fact, the US Department of Defense already has a weapon called the Active Denial System that uses MMWs to cause a tingling or burning sensation on a person’s skin, and if you take that weapon up a notch, you could even microwave someone to death.
A widely cited study by the US National Toxicology Program of rats exposed to RFR for nine hours daily for two years showed that the animals developed rare tumors in both their brains and hearts. The study caused the American Cancer Society to reconsider its position on radiation and cancer, stating that our current understanding of the effects of RFR on human health is similar to the previous lack of understanding of the relationship between smoking and lung cancer.
US President Donald Trump has high hopes for the new 5G mobile phone networks. Here’s what he said in his prepared remarks:
“5G will be 100 times faster than current 4G cellular networks. It will change the way our people work, learn, communicate and travel. It will make American farms more productive, American manufacturing more competitive and American health care better and more accessible. Ultimately, it will basically cover almost everything. It’s really amazing.”
And just as 4G networks paved the way for smartphones and all kinds of breakthroughs and made so many things possible, 5G networks are going to be more secure and more resilient. They’re also going to create amazing, really exciting new opportunities for our people — opportunities that we never thought we’d see.”
In January 2017, President Trump appointed Ajit Pai, a former lawyer for Verizon Communications, to be chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Pai has been an advocate of deregulating state and local regulations on the rollout of 5G.
For a broader perspective on the history of mobile phones, check out this video.
In 2018, Republican FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr announced a plan to streamline the environmental review process for 5G infrastructure, claiming it could cut costs for telecom companies by up to 80%. To support their claim, Pai and Carr used words meant to inspire every red-blooded American, like “keeping pace with global competitors,” “bringing high-speed internet to underserved areas,” and “closing the digital divide.”
Telecommunications companies are working to build out 5G systems as quickly as possible, and have deployed armies of lobbyists to work with state legislatures to pass laws that would limit local oversight of 5G. Wireless companies are also lobbying the U.S. Congress, which is considering several bills on the issue.
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About the Editor
Marcia Wendorf
Marcia is a former high school math teacher, technical writer, author, and programmer. In much the same way that American high school students are taught to “drive safely,” Marcia practices “living safely.” This means staying up-to-date on news from around the world, including science, government policy, finance, infrastructure, and healthcare issues. As an outsider, Marcia always has her “sniff” for the latest trends and developments and keeps her readers informed of these developments.
