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| Five Myths About 5G People Should Stop Believing |
Myth: 5G played a role in the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Just because 5G and COVID-19 became a world concern almost at the same time, people are quick to conclude that the new technology is related to the rapid spread of the contagious disease. According to the WHO, this is nothing but a baseless claim, explaining that 5G doesn’t spread through radio frequencies used by 5G, but rather through droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Myth: 5G can cause cancer
This false belief has been existing since time immemorial, and time and again, the WHO has been debunking this. The health authority has since explained that there hasn’t been any significant finding which relates wireless technologies like 5G to cancer.
A health concern that 5G, or any wireless technology, can bring to the table is tissue heating, which is similar to how the human body reacts when doing exercises.
The WHO and the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, however, clarified that radio frequencies shouldn’t exceed 300GHz for it to be safe.
Myth: 5G can easily be accessible to anyone.
Of course, this is something anyone would want, especially with 5G expected to bring improved internet and connectivity speeds. But in a third-world country like the Philippines, mobile and Internet users might have to wait longer before it becomes accessible across the country. Telecommunication companies though are continuously ramping up their efforts to bring connectivity even to far-flung provinces.
Myth: 5G is made to replace 4G
Once 5G is implemented, that doesn’t mean that 4G and smartphones working on 4G networks would no longer work. In the coming years, 5G and 4G will co-exist, providing faster speeds and better connectivity. According to a June 2020 report by CNET which cited a GSMA Intelligence study, by 2025, 15% of mobile connections will run on 5G, while 59% will utilize 4G LTE.
Myth: 5G can be used for mind control.
This is one of the most far-fetched theories about 5G, and why there are some people who believe this is beyond all of us. Just like what the WHO said, there hasn’t been enough evidence to support claims that 5G has effects on the human body.
What 5G can do is to boost the use of robotics, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things which can benefit various essential industries around the globe.