Debunking the Myths of 5G
8 myths about 5G, debunked
These are some of the myths about 5G technology that we should know:
- 5G will cause cancer — In short, 5G is no different from 4G or 3G except it’s frequency and wavelength. Frequency band of 5G is 24.25 GHz to 52.6 GHz (FR 2). Frequency band of 4G is 2–8 GHz. FB of 3G — 1.8–2GHz.
With network generation, the frequency increases thereby bandwidth increases. The big misconception is this frequency bands will cause cancer.
But the truth is quite opposite. The frequency range of visible light is 400–800THz. (GHz — 10 power 9 Hz) and THz (THz — 10 power 12Hz). The frequency range of visible light is higher than the 5G frequencies.
Then, is visible light dangerous to humans? The fact is — As the frequency of the wave increases the power of that wave decreases. Same is the case with the 5G. In fact 5G is so weak that even rain can cause disconnectivity issues.
2. 5G increases the speed of the smartphone — This is another misconception about 5G because the telecom industry marketing is in such a way that one who doesn’t have knowledge about this may think that it is.
In short, 5G is just expanding the usage of the present 4G frequency bands. With 5G surely the data rate increases but not the CPU performance of the smartphone.
3. 5G can be weaponized — As said, 5G Technology is no different from other generations except for the response time. If at all this is true then even 3G or 4G can be weaponized.
Weaponizing is not a thing at all in this case, as we know 5G radiation is very weak.
So weaponization cannot happen? That is false. We can weaponize waves which are used in military operations. US military call it ADS (Active Denial System).
Long exposure to these waves can cause cancer and these waves are strong enough to push a person from his place. 5G is far away from being these waves because it will not be allowed to operate at that frequency.
4. 5G causes Corona Virus infection — This is an absurdity. Studies clearly show that this infection spreads through humans and the virus spread into the human community due to animals. Covid-19 due to 5G is……..
5. 5G will replace 4G — From the simplicity of the notation we tend to say that 5G is everything and it will replace the older generation networks. This is again a myth because the trend never followed this. When 4G arrived it didn’t entirely replace 3G until sometime.
Same is true for 5G. It takes a while to replace the older generation network because 5G demands change in hardware specifications. People with 4G devices should upgrade and it takes time.
Another parameter is 5G itself. As we know the strength of the 5G is low (except the frequency bands that are just higher than 4G).
So the network providers should bring innovation in the hardware whose antennas can serve a long distance. It takes time, a lot of time.
6. 5G is all about download speed — This is right but the notation is wrong. 5G has a huge bandwidth compared to 4G, which results in low latency i.e. high response time, which results in high download speeds. So it is about latency.
7. 5G replaces broadband — As expected even this is False. Guess why? Simple, Strength. 5G radio waves cannot penetrate walls. Experts say that even rain can cause issues.
8. No latency issues while gaming due to 5G — Do you know what is the maximum download speed of 4G? It is 1Gbps but did we ever encounter that download speed? No, typical download speed ranges between 2–100Mbps.
What is the maximum download speed of 5G? It is 10Gbps. Then what will be the typical download speed i.e. the speed at which the network provider ranges? Maybe, 200–300Mbps or maximum at 1Gbps.
Even this is quite fast but latency issues may occur one’s in a while due to so many reasons — Network coverage, Weather,…..
I hope this debunks some of the myths that circulate in the internet.
I hope this helps.
