Myths about 5G debunked

As we get closer to experiencing the fastest internet connectivity available in the world right now, there are some conspiracies surfacing that impose fear on the consumers.

File photo: 5G speed test in BGC using the Mate 30 Pro 5G smartphone

Myths vs. facts about 5G 

Myth 1: 5G is related to the spread of Coronavirus disease 2019

Fact: The global health pandemic that we're currently experiencing now, the COVID-19, and 5G are in no way related to each other. The theories that supported this were COVID-19 and 5G became a hot topic for the world almost at the same time and that both are related to China. 

First, technology for 5G was initially introduced to the world in October 2018, while the highly-contagious disease stemmed from Wuhan, China in December 2019. China was not the first country to implement 5G, South Korea, and the US both did it earlier. For more obvious reasons, the coronavirus disease can't spread through 5G as it is transmitted through saliva droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. 

Myth 2: 5G can cause cancer

False beliefs about wireless technologies posing risks to people for developing cancer existed for quite some time.  Time and again, authorities like the World Health Organization have been refuting this.

According to WHO, there hasn’t been any significant finding linking wireless technologies like 5G to possible causes of cancer. A health concern that can be related to these technologies is tissue heating, which naturally occurs since it is "the main mechanism of interaction between radiofrequency fields and the human body," which is similar to how bodies respond when doing exercises.

Both the WHO and the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection explained that there will be no detrimental health concerns from 5G as long as overall radiofrequency exposure doesn't exceed 300GHz.

Myth 3: Anyone can have access to 5G

In an ideal world, yes. But in developing countries like the Philippines, this is something that might take a little longer. For example, Globe is ramping up its expansion efforts by adding more telecommunication infrastructures across the country to bring connectivity.  Globe is also set to unveil the 5G mobile experience in Makati and Bonifacio Global City, Taguig by the 3rd quarter of this year.

See also: Huawei P40 Pro is a must consider 5G-ready flagship, AppGallery upgrades

Another concern for 5G access is that not all smartphones support 5G. However, there are 5G-powered smartphones already available in the market. 

Myth 4: 5G will replace 4G

Unlike what happened during the transition from 3G to 4G when the latter was made to replace the former, 5G does not intend for 4G to be obsolete. What will happen is somehow a technology co-existence since 5G will build from 4G LTE. In a June 1, 2020 report by CNET, it stated that those using 4G LTE might experience faster speeds when 5G becomes available. The same article also cited a GSMA Intelligence report which noted that 15 percent of mobile connections around the world will utilize 5G by 2025, while 4G LTE usage will be about 59 percent.

Myth 5: 5G can be used for mind control

This is one is probably the most peculiar and weirdest myth about 5G. As mentioned, there has not been any concrete study to prove that 5G has effects on the human body.

However, once 5G is fully implemented, technologies that rely on connectivity for data processing like Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, and robotics will surely get the needed boost to develop functions useful to the real world.

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