5G & You: a simple explanation for a complex technology
Like all new, buzzword-y technology, 5G has a lot of misconceptions surrounding it. For every person for it, there’s just as many against it. Unlike other technological forces, however, 5G is happening, whether you approve or not. To break it down, 5G really means “fifth generation” referring to cellular technology. It’s merely the next iteration of how cellular networks work. And just like technologies that came before it, like GPS and the Internet, its evolutions don’t take away any aspects of the original purpose, but instead improves on itself and makes its infrastructure faster. Think of the jump from DSL to Broadband. The jump from 4G to 5G is very similar.
So what is it exactly? How does it work? How will it be implemented? And most importantly, will it give you cancer?*
*The answer to this is easy to answer: no. It’s no more harmful to you than your kitchen microwave, Tesla, smartphone, and a nice afternoon nap. The bees, however… Nah, just kidding. The bees are fine, too.
The hype behind 5G comes from how its implemented. First, 5G cellular networks work on a much higher frequency than 4G networks. Think of your phone as a very advanced walkie-talkie. It operates and sends information back and forth on a radio frequency that can be bounced along by cell towers. Current networks operate on frequencies up to 20 MHz. 5G operates at a much higher frequency of 6 GHz (for reference, most modern WiFi routers are passing info at 2.5 GHz and 5 GHz), clear of interference and passes information along at a much faster rate.
Moving this tech-jargon to the side, 5G cellular networks will have the same day-to-day speed as most higher end WiFi routers.
Imagine everywhere you go, everything you do on your phone happens at a blazingly fast speed, even without being connected to WiFi. This is the promise 5G makes.
There are some downsides, however. The biggest: dang ‘ol physics. The higher radio frequencies are, the more fragile they are, and the more signal boosting they require. This means for 5G to be implemented into our cellular infrastructure, we have to have a stable network that expands beyond just cell towers. Buildings will need smaller towers and antenna to help keep the signal steady and interference free. These “small cell” towers require less energy to run and are much smaller (and nicer to look at) than traditional cell towers. We’re talking about a stylish object marginally larger than a shoe box that can be put on light posts and buildings.
Think of your phone as a very advanced walkie-talkie. It operates and sends information back and forth on a radio frequency that can be bounced along by cell towers.
Then, of course, we have to address the myths. Can this technology give you cancer? The short and sweet answer is: no. The longer, more in-depth answer according to the American Cancer Society is: still no, but with much more scientific language. Allow me to explain:
Radio frequencies are a form of radiation, meaning an emission of energy. Everything from sunlight to microwaves to x-rays give off radiation. This is a simple principle. However, different forms of radiation behave different, and some can cause cancer among other detrimental effects to the human body. Every form of radiation has a spot on grand spectrum of energy known as the electromagnetic spectrum (EM spectrum).
This spectrum ranges from very low-energy waves to very high-energy waves, and right in the middle is our very own visible light spectrum. High-energy radiation includes ultraviolet radiation, x-ray radiation, and gamma ray radiation. These types of radiation have been well known to cause radiation sickness and cancer. However, radio frequencies operate at the low end of the EM spectrum. These low-energy frequencies are strong enough to move atoms in a molecule (and more practically, move information), but aren’t strong enough to cause cancer. Studies are still conducted to test whether long exposure to radio frequencies might lead to cancer, however results have pointed towards the fact that radio frequencies (even higher ones like 5G) are still way too low-energy to cause cancer.
So where does this put us?
In the perfect spot to learn about 5G networks and what they can do for us. While some are wary of new technologies for a variety of reasons, 5G will continue to grow on a global scale, modernizing infrastructures and paving the way for the future of how we interact with technology. In the United States, passing legislature on 5G allows for local governments and municipalities to grow more connected, which can lead to better and more accessible education, more skilled jobs (both during the installation process and after), and can even bring in businesses that are dependant on a technology-based infrastructure.
Why should this type of legislature pass?
Well, mostly because on a global scale, it’s already happening. China is already leading the way in making a 5G network accessible to the entire nation. Europe isn’t very far behind, with the European Commission passing bills that would allow for 5G services to be available as soon as 2020. In the United States, we’re beginning to fall behind as the FCC struggles to allow companies to use high radio frequencies that 5G survives on that have been used for governmental purposes up until this point.
Passing at a state and local level now ensures we won’t have to wait for the bureaucracy of the FCC later. We can encourage the benefits of 5G ahead of the curve, like increasing jobs, boosting interest for people looking to move into the city, and talking to family members over the phone in the heart of downtown without having to worry about the phone call dropping despite having “full bars”, Sprint. When technology like 5G moves into a community, citizens see the benefits right off the bat. Like the bragging rights earned by cities that claim to have fully adopted fiber-gigabit Internet, having the speed and reliability of 5G networks can encourage and motivate citizens to move into the city where the service is offered.
Joe Staples is a tech writer who lives in Reno, Nevada. He believes in ethical tech, new solutions and in Clift & Co.’s mission to elevate people, legislation, and new technologies.
