5G technology is already in Uruguay: does it have an impact on health?

For the past few months, 5G cellular technology has been available in Uruguay. This deployment will allow users to access higher upload and download speeds, while for telecommunications providers, it means the ability to offer low-latency networks, greater connectivity capacity (more devices connected simultaneously), and improved energy efficiency. It also prepares the infrastructure for new applications, connectivity use cases, and services.

Despite its benefits, questions have resurfaced about the link between 5G and human health. What do we know about this?

What the scientific evidence says

The possible health effects of electromagnetic emissions have been studied for decades. Before diving into the discussion, it is important to differentiate between non-ionizing radiation (radio waves, microwaves) and ionizing radiation (such as X-rays). It has been proven that the latter is harmful to health.

For the former, however, there is not enough scientific evidence to confirm that they affect health.

There are numerous independent research studies on this topic (for example, those compiled in this document by the World Health Organization). These studies have been conducted over several decades, across different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, and in various populations. None have demonstrated that exposure to electromagnetic waves in the spectrum range used by cellular technologies (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G) is harmful to health.

As a precautionary principle, the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) has established recommended emission limits.

A key point to understand

Cell phones have the ability to receive signals at very low power. In other words, high-power radiation emissions are not necessary for communication.

Nowadays, the power levels used are far below the limits considered safe (as a precautionary measure), according to scientific studies conducted.

However, some tips for using cell phones responsibly can be highlighted, such as activating the hands-free feature or connecting headphones to keep the device away from the body when talking. In general, it's also advisable not to keep it on you at all times—for example, placing it on a table when at home or in the office.

By:

Mauricio González, Product Line Manager of Telco Technologies at Isbel.

Mauricio is a Telecommunications Engineer from the Universidad de la República. He has over 10 years of experience in telecommunications, having held various roles in support, implementation, project management, and sales engineering.

Is there a significant health difference between 5G and previous technologies?

Esto se debe a que el teléfono móvil está mucho más cerca del usuario que la antena de la radiobase. A medida que aumenta la distancia entre el usuario y la fuente de emisión (ya sea el celular o la antena), la intensidad de la radiación disminuye significativamente, debido a la dispersión de la energía en el espacio.

On the other hand, many 5G deployments operate at the same or similar frequencies as previous technologies such as 4G, 3G, or 2G. In the case of Uruguay and much of Latin America, the large-scale deployments starting in 2023 are in the 3.5GHz band, which, in this regard, does not differ significantly from previous technologies operating in the 700-2600MHz range.

The novelty of 5G is that it also includes deployments in higher frequencies (millimeter wave bands or mmWave), always within the non-ionizing portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. These higher frequencies cause the signal to attenuate more quickly with distance and result in much shallower electromagnetic wave penetration into the human body.

Along with this, a higher number of antennas are expected to be installed compared to previous technologies. In the case of mmWave, it will likely be used in specific scenarios with very limited coverage since the power of these base stations will decrease rapidly as distance increases. Although more antennas will be needed, the radiation will be more limited. In general terms, it does not represent a significant difference in radiation levels in the air compared to other previously used frequencies. Ultimately, we can debunk the myth that "more antennas mean more radiation."

Another point is that 5G was designed with a focus on efficient power usage. In this regard, new features allow the phone to remain in idle mode when the communication channel is not in use—something that already exists in 4G but has been significantly improved in 5G. This results in lower electromagnetic radiation for certain data traffic.

In summary, there are no substantial differences compared to previous technologies in terms of health impact, except for the use of higher frequencies, which have already been used for other technologies for some time and still fall within the range of non-ionizing frequencies.

A technology that will drive innovation.

5G is already a market reality in Latin America, particularly in Uruguay. 2023 has been a crucial year, with telecom companies massively launching their networks commercially. It is important to stay informed about advancements in digital transformation and telecommunications. Closely monitoring the impact of technology on our society is essential.

What is certain is that 5G will transform economic and industrial activity across various sectors, and it will also push telecom companies to innovate. Time will tell if they can adapt to this change.