5 things you should know about 5G

There’s been a lot of conspiracy theories about the fifth generation of wireless communications technologies, 5G, which seem to get even more complicated by the day. While developing stories continue to evolve around this nascent technology, it’s important to first understand what this technology represents. Here’s what you should know about 5G technology.

1. Availability

A good place to start should be, its availability, as people seek to find answers to countries and locations where this “New World Order” is already being planted and the plans to site more.
This interactive OOkla 5G Map, which is updated weekly from verified sources and Ookla data, tracks 5G roll-outs in cities across the globe and it has the answers to your questions.

The map displays Global 5G Statistics of 9,478 total deployments and a total of 118 5G operators. It breaks down the availability into three (3): Commercial availability, Limited availability and Pre-release.

• With an aggregate of 7,272 and the US taking the lead, commercial availability indicates where a 5G network is present and devices available for consumers. South Africa is the only country on the African content, with commercial availability across its capitals: Capetown, Johannesburg and Pretoria.
• Limited Availability which indicates where a 5G network is present but devices are limited to select numbers, shows an aggregate of 17 spots spread almost evenly across the continents, including Africa (South Africa).
• The Pre-release, which is the most dominant stage of availability in Africa, indicates where a 5G network is in place but is currently in testing and/or not yet accessible to customers. It shows an aggregate of 188 spots across the world and African countries, that include: Gabon, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa; with 3 spots, in Nigeria that be accounted for, as MTN’s pre-releases in Abuja, Lagos and Calabar.

Note: All figures and information stand as at the time of this publication, as the map is updated weekly.

2. Speed

• The speed of 5G is divided into:
• Low-band: <100mbits/s which operates on a frequency of 600mHz – 850mHz
• Mid-band: 700 to 900mbits/s which operates on a frequency of 2.4GHz – 4.2GHz
• Millimeter wave – 1 to 2 Gbits/s which operates on a frequency of 24 to 72GHz

It can be noted however, that the speed to expect for 5G technology is the mid-band, as it is being deployed widely, in over 30 networks to include Sprint and China Mobile. To put in context [for better understanding] the difference in speed between the current 4G and expected 5G technology; 4G technology is similar to the low-band speed of 5G, which is <100mbits/s. Going by the mid-band speed that is presently being deployed, 5G technology is expected to be 7 to 9 times the speed of 4G.

3. Radiation levels

Confirmed reports state that 5G technology has been switched on in some UK cities, which has led to questions and concerns about whether the new technology poses health risks. It explains that just as we’re surrounded by electromagnetic radiation from a whole range of technologies, including mobile phones, television and radio signals, and previous cellular networks, 5G is no exemption. Due to higher frequencies reaching above 24GHz up to 72GHz and shorter reach, more cells and transmitter masts positioned closer to the ground are required to transmit these waves; particularly in urban spaces. As explained, millimeter waves have difficulty trans-versing many walls and windows, so indoor coverage is limited.

RadiationHealthRiks.com observes that 1G to 4G use between 1GHz – 5GHz, while 5G uses between 24GHz – 90GHz frequency and then asserts that, “within the RF Radiation portion of the electromagnetic spectrum; the higher the frequency, the more dangerous it is to living organisms”.
Although there has been no establishment and reputable evidence on adverse health effects caused by mobile phone usage, the WHO together with the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), also classifies RFR (Radio Frequency Radiation) as “possibly carcinogenic”.

5G also remains non-ionizing in nature.

The conclusion on this however, would be that, 5G is a new technology, and there is no conclusive research on its effects on health.

4. Controversy

The release/roll out of 5G in late 2019 which coincides with the COVID-19 outbreak, has led to many conspiracy theories that it is the cause of the pandemic. The fact that cell towers have to be placed 100-200 m from each other and at a lower level than other masts, as explained above, doesn’t help matters. Cell towers are closer to the street level, people can see it and pass by it, just as they would see street signs and electric poles, as opposed to previous masts we have no interaction with it. These are two things fueling the conspiracy theory.

Images and videos which have emerged on social media, linking a ‘C’ symbol and 5G cell towers (which is actually Margate Lighthouse) to the depiction on the new 20 pound note, have also fueled this theory.

Read: NCC’s Dismissal on the Link Between 5G Technology and COVID-19.

5. 5G phones

Samsung Galaxy S20 released on March 6 2020, is the first ever all-5G smartphone. HMD Global, the current maker of Nokia-branded phones, also announced its wider range 5G compatible smartphone – Nokia 8.3. While other phone brands like Motorola, Huawei and ZTE all have 5G devices, Apple is yet to release a 5G enabled smartphone.