5G stands for “faster internet” for many users with supposedly little more to it. Unfortunately, the consequences of 5G could be far-reaching. They range from privacy invasion and further centralisation of the internet to creating more cyber-security vulnerabilities. This is setting the stage for mass surveillance.
Since its development, 5G’s potential has become more and more apparent in the years. We’re seeing it in the form of high-speed, low-latency communication systems. This will power smart city innovations like autonomous vehicles and energy grids.
However, as 5G is poised to become the dominant network technology globally over the next few years, we need to ask: what are the consequences for human rights, privacy and democracy?
What Is 5G?
5G is the fifth generation of cellular technology and is soon poised to hit the market. The implications of 5G are vast and undetermined. They could have an impact on everything from the Internet of Things (IoT) in your homes to the massive deployment of autonomous vehicles in cities and even casinos that feature a huge range of online slots.
5G networks will handle much more traffic than current cellular networks. This includes a proliferation of wireless devices. This will open up new opportunities for use cases that haven’t yet been envisioned. These include video streaming to a smart appliance or droned-based surveillance.
With the release of 5G, it’s hard to predict but easy to imagine the implications of this new technology. Established internet providers have already begun to tout their 5G capabilities. However, what does this mean for consumers?
Impact of 5G
5G will provide faster and more reliable service than previous generations. However, even with its speed and reliability, it’s unclear what kind of applications will be developed. It’ll allow people to stream video and play games at unprecedented speeds. However, the type of content available will depend on how much people are willing to pay for their service.
With 5G’s faster speeds and fewer glitches, some companies may choose to offer free streaming services. In addition, most major companies will charge for their service. They’ll do this to recoup the costs needed to develop 5G infrastructure. Either way, there will likely be a premium associated with 5G access.
What Are the Consequences of 5G Becoming More Prevalent in the World?
5G promises faster speeds and lower latency, making it attractive for data-hungry applications. This includes virtual reality (VR), autonomous vehicles and distance learning. However, people have raised concerns over how this new technology will affect human health and wildlife. They’ve questioned its ability to function in an ever-changing environment with weather patterns and natural disasters.
5G technology transmits at higher frequencies than its predecessors—2.5 gigahertz (GHz) versus 1.9 gigahertz. This means it has a shorter range but can transmit much more data per second. To compensate for this change in range and capacity, 5G providers need to install significantly more access points than 3G or 4G providers did for their networks.
Conclusion
This massive increase in transmitters causes concern on how 5G will affect human health and wildlife. according to Professor Niels Kuster, founder and director of the Swiss IT’IS Foundation, the debate will continue and until we have more scientific evidence on the matter the debate will continue.
