On the brink of 6G: health boon or bane?

River D'Almeida, Ph.D
The Reading Frame
Published in
7 min readMay 23, 2024

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While 6G technology promises revolutionary advancements in communication and healthcare, it also poses potential health risks that require further research and careful consideration.

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The Communication Evolution

In the 1980s, making a wireless call was a marvel, though the quality was often poor, and coverage was spotty. This was the era of the first generation (1G) networks, which marked the beginning of a journey that has transformed our world.

Fast forward to the early 2000s, and we had 3G networks enabling mobile internet access, allowing us to browse the web and make video calls. The late 2000s saw the advent of 4G, bringing high-speed internet that could handle HD video streaming. Then came 5G in the late 2010s, promising ultra-fast internet, low latency, and massive device connectivity, paving the way for smart cities and the Internet of Things (IoT).

1G to 5G: A Brief History

  • 1G (1980s): Analog voice communication with poor quality and limited coverage.
  • 2G (1990s): Digital voice communication with improved quality and SMS capabilities.
  • 3G (Early 2000s): Mobile internet access, allowing for basic web browsing and video calling.
  • 4G (Late 2000s): High-speed internet, enabling…

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River D'Almeida, Ph.D
The Reading Frame

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