5G technology has given us a lot to think about and a lot to talk about. This technology is nothing more than one more step in the evolution of cellular technology, which can be recapitulated from analog telephony, digital technology, mobile internet, and broadband, to the Internet of Things (IoT, for its acronym). in English), according to Eng. Leopoldo Vega Correa , director of Telecommunications of the DGTIC.
So, according to the expert, the 5G network consists of several technologies and frequencies of electromagnetic signals, which amplify videoconferencing services, augmented reality, and the adaptation of smart cities, among others.
What characterizes 5G networks?
Some of the characteristics that distinguish 5G technology are:
Speed: The speed of 4G is 1 Gbps per second. For its part, the 5G network, at its maximum potential, will offer standard speeds of 20 Gbps per second, according to information from the Deloitte firm. That is, it will be up to 20 times faster. For example, if you wanted to download an hour of music, with the 5G network it would take you only 0.6 seconds, while with the 4G network, an approximate download time of 20 seconds is estimated.
Latency: refers to the network’s response capacity to our request and it is estimated that waiting times to receive information will be reduced to one millisecond with the 5G network, according to information from Deloitte. This decrease in waiting times will facilitate activity in fields such as telemedicine.
Greater power: 5G infrastructure allows more devices to connect at the same time, which would help overcome the electromagnetic bottleneck that exists in large urban centers.
How does 5G technology work?
Explaining how 5G technology works would take a long time, so this will be a brief explanation.
A cell phone could be thought of as a “two-way” radio. When you call someone and talk or send data, the device converts the voice and data (a photo, an email, etc.) into a signal that is transmitted over waves to the nearest antenna. The signal bounces from there to another, and another, and another until it reaches the receiver, according to information from Gizmodo.
Each wireless transmission technology is assigned a frequency. When a new one arrives, it is assigned a higher frequency, because it is the one that is available and because these frequencies allow the information to travel at a higher speed. Signals that travel at higher frequencies do not reach as far as those at lower frequencies, which makes it necessary to install new antennas to expand coverage, as explained in Gizmodo.
Myths and realities of 5G technology
Like any innovation, at the beginning of the implementation of 5G technology, myths, and fears arose that, although they may seem illogical or laughable, they are completely normal and even favorable to better understand what new step we are taking as humanity.
Knowing these myths and the realities about this technology is a way to introduce ourselves to its concept
Myth 5G represents a health risk
Reality: After numerous investigations, there is no scientific evidence of any adverse health effects caused by exposure to wireless networks. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared wireless technologies of low carcinogenic probability.
Myth 5G will alter human DNA
Fact: According to an article from the National Library of Medicine of the American Center for Biotechnology, 5G technology operates, depending on the country, in a frequency band between 0.7 and 4 GHz, which corresponds to a wavelength between 40 and 8 mm respectively. This amount is 10 thousand times less than that necessary to constitute ionizing radiation capable of causing damage at the cellular level.
Myth 5G causes illness and death in birds
Fact: There is no scientific evidence to support that the electromagnetic waves emitted by mobile phone antennas can harm birds.
Myth 5G increases climate change
Reality: on the contrary, 5G expects that it will help reduce the increasingly evident impact of climate change.
Myth 5G will be useful to kill people
Reality Like any new technology, 5G comes with its challenges. One of these is to generate new security systems that, given their novelty, open the door to new forms of cyberattack. It is a matter of time before experts develop these security tools.