Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you likely have heard of the fifth generation, or 5G, network technology. 5G promises to make your smartphone and other wireless tech easier, faster, and more flexible.
However, despite the benefits of 5G, there are many opponents who cite the dangers of 5G to warn people to be wary of these claims.
Are you interested in learning more about the negatives of 5G? You’re in the right place if so. Read on for more.
5G Is a Health Risk
The World Health Organization (WHO) has been a vocal critic of 5G, stating that radio frequency in the range of 300-3400 MHz was “possibly carcinogenic to humans.”
What this means is that the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has identified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as potentially causing cancer in people.
When it comes to 5G, the health dangers are even higher. Only one 5G mobile phone has been tested to determine its effect on human health. That testing showed that the phone had 4 times the radiation from non-5G phones.
5G is meant to be denser than 4G, meaning that it can reach farther and penetrate the body more deeply. This could have even more detrimental impacts on our health.
5G Is an Environmental Risk
The upgrade to 5G technology requires significantly more cell phone towers across the US. Building and installing these towers will require cutting trees, clearing land, and paving new roads to access the towers.
The sheer number of towers needed will result in the destruction of wildlife habitats and migration routes, as well as eliminate the habitats for birds and other native wildlife.
5G Is a Privacy Risk
It wasn’t until 2017 that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) instituted a rule protecting our online privacy. In October 2017, rules went into place to require internet service providers (ISPs) to obtain permission from users before using or sharing their sensitive data, including personally identifiable data and health records.
These rules also give consumers the ability to decide if they want to opt in or out of participating in the 5G network. Because 5G allows for data from many more internet-of-thing (IoT) devices to transmit data to mobile carriers, it increases the risk that private data could be obtained illegally or in violation of FCC rules.
5G Is a Security Risk
FCC Commissioner and former head of the CIA, Michael O’Reilly, recently admitted that 5G will be “absolutely critical for future military operations.”
This is really worrisome because the new 5G network will be a super-fast way for the military to transmit data — information that could potentially be used in weapons systems and surveillance.
Regardless of whether you want to opt out of the 5G network, there is a good chance that you won’t be able to. The reason? There are already laws in place requiring “any broadband provider that accepts federal funding to provide access to FirstNet, which is the first responder communication network.”
This means that 5G cell sites will be required on every street corner, whether you are on 5G or not.
5G Is a Financial Risk
In order for more consumers to subscribe to 5G, companies will have to offer competitive pricing with other internet providers. While the benefits of 5G are yet to be seen, some suspect that 5G will be a great way for cable companies to raise rates.
That’s because the 5G wave has a different size that requires different equipment and construction, which will result in higher costs to the consumer. In some countries, such as Japan, the infrastructure is already being built because the country is excited about 5G.
5G Is an Economic Risk
5G is currently being marketed as a boon for economic growth because it will encourage more innovation and allow businesses to be more productive. In theory, this is true. However, 5G is not even available yet, and the effects on the economy are speculative at best.
Moreover, the current infrastructure between rural and urban areas is not adequate to support 5G using current technology.
5G Is a Social Risk
There is a good possibility that 5G will negatively impact our social networks, family structures, and traditional lifestyles. This is because to transmit faster, 5G will use more powerful microwaves. These microwaves are more easily absorbed by the human body, meaning that they carry more health risks for our families.
In fact, some experts point to the potential that 5G could be linked to neurological issues and even cancer.
A group of 270 scientists have even written an open letter to the United Nations stating that there are numerous studies showing evidence that microwave radiation is carcinogenic.
The letter urges the UN to consider a precautionary approach when it comes to 5G. Even more disturbingly, schools have already started installing wireless internet in classrooms and cafeterias.
This is a sign of things to come in the school system, and many parents are concerned that more radiation will add more stress to an already stressed system.
5G Is a Threat to Airplane Safety
When the 5G network launched in 46 markets across the US in January 2022, there was much debate about the impact of 5G on airplane safety.
5G works by using frequencies in a radio spectrum, which are called the C-band. These are close to those used by the radio altimeters on airplanes, which are important for aircraft safety. Critics were nervous that the 5G frequencies would impact the aircraft equipment, putting fliers at risk.
Consider These Dangers of 5G
It is clear that there are significant dangers of 5G that exist, despite the push by wireless carriers to implement the technology without delay. Despite the research suggesting that 5G has a multitude of negative impacts, mobile carriers are moving full-stem ahead with the rollout of 5G.
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