Three of the biggest 5G mobile network myths debunked

The fifth-generation mobile network has arrived and it’s here to way we connect. 5G is already accessible in some areas of Australia, United States, United Kingdom and more. However, there is some surrounding criticism as the network rolls out. As with any new technology, it’s usual for people to have misconceptions and doubts. In this article, we debunk three widely believed myths about the 5G revolution.

5G Radiation Causes Cancer

The general public is concerned that the 5G network’s radio frequency is carcinogenic. While it’s no news that exposure to dangerous levels of radio frequency can potentially cause cancer, 5G is actually safe. It’s reasonable to leave some room for doubt but the US Federal Communications Commission released a report that suggests the safety of cellular phones, including those under the 5G network. The report was released on August 8 and was the product of 6 long years of extensive research and reviews.

5G is Replacing the 4G Network

Not really, so don’t think your 4G smartphone will be completely useless as 5G rolls out. The fifth-generation network isn’t really meant to replace 4G altogether. It’s actually an addition to existing 4G networks. Not only that, major mobile carriers around the globe are far from swapping out 4G with solid 5G roll outs. A GSMA Intelligence report suggests that only 15% of mobile connections worldwide will be running on 5G six years from now. So even if it becomes available in your area it won’t render your 4G phone obsolete.

5G Will Slow Down 4G Services

Just because 5G is the new, next and now, that doesn’t mean it’s going to affect 4G networks negatively. In fact, smartphones running on 4G might even see a speed boost as 5G is gradually released. Tech news outlet CNET reports that there are two reasons behind this being: carrier aggregation and dynamic spectrum sharing. The latter basically means that as people transition to 5G, the capacity of 4G will increase and so will its speed. That’s because carriers will be allowed to have the same band spectrum for both networks.

As for carrier aggregation, this will let mobile carriers combine 4G signals on top of other 4G signals. According to Verizon exec, Hedi Hemmer this will result in “a huge performance and capacity lift.” Meanwhile, as carriers develop their 5G networks, 4G users will experience lower latency periods.

Christian Woods
Christian Woods
Christian is a morning reporter and technology columnist for Best in Australia. Christian has worked in the media since 2000, in a range of locations. He joined Best in Australia in 2018, and began working in Melbourne in 2019.
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