What’s 5G?

Every decade or so, the world sees a new generation of wireless technology . . . and with it, big changes.

Are you ready for the next generation?

The newest version of mobile wireless technology is called 5G, which stands for “fifth generation.” There have been four previous generations, starting with 1G in 1982. Every version has improved the way our wireless devices communicate.

5G technology has actually been around since 2018, but it’s still not widely used in most places. The biggest advancements are yet to come!

Like the generations before it, 5G uses radio signals. We measure radio signals by their wavelength: shorter wavelengths have higher frequency. The wavelengths for 5G are so short they’re measured in millimetres—which is why it’s known as mmWave (millimetre wave) technology.

Thanks to its high-frequency signals, 5G will be smarter, faster—some say at least 10 times faster than 4G—and offer more bandwidth.

Here are some amazing things 5G could offer as it becomes more widespread:

• More complex smartphone apps
• Faster gaming
• Self-driving cars and delivery drones
• Smart cities, with features like app-controlled lights to save energy, air-quality sensors, and crime-reducing technologies
• Telemedicine allowing doctors to do virtual check-ups and even perform remote surgeries from thousands of kilometres away 

Not everyone is excited about 5G—there have even been protests!

But why?

Well, to support 5G, new antenna sites need to be built. To give you an idea of the number, there will be 800,000 in the U.S. alone. Many people worry because the technology is new so we don’t really know how the radio waves will affect our health in the long term.

So, should we be worried?

Unfortunately, it’s hard to say. The best information available to predict the effects of 5G comes from past research on cell phone use—and the data isn’t very clear.

One study in 2018, for example, showed that exposure to cell phone radiation increased cancer rates in rats. Another 20-year study of 400,000 people, found no strong evidence linking cell phone use and cancer.

Confusing, isn’t it? The truth is, without long-term studies on 5G, it’s impossible to be 100% sure of its effects.

Ready or not, 5G is coming! How do you feel about it?

5G Comprehension

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