4 ms·

Theoretically, 5G will use a higher frequency band of radiation (24Ghz-86Ghz). This band has a harder time penetrating obstacles, so you will need many more tra

Theoretically, 5G will use a higher frequency band of radiation (24Ghz-86Ghz). This band has a harder time penetrating obstacles, so you will need many more transmitters at a higher power level to cover an area. Opponents are uncomfortable with the enthusiasm of the telecom companies over 5G without sufficient (they feel) long-term research on the health effects of saturating entire neighborhoods with millimeter-wave radiation 24/7. Residents of these areas will be exposed to this radiation whether they use it or not - there is no opt-out. There is some quackery in this space (i.e. cures for "radiation sickness," etc.), but I don't consider it blameworthy to have caution concerning new technology in general, especially when the benefits of 5G to the consumer are so dubious. It seems to me like a push by the telecoms to re-implement wireless internet on their terms from the ground up in as many areas as they can before public opinion forces neutrality back on them again. I also don't think they'll actually succeed (at least in America anyway), but mostly end up selling people the same product under the label "5G LTE" or something.

windsurfer 7y ago
For those that are curious, the wavelength of 86Ghz radiation is about 3mm.
mytailorisrich 7y ago
The mmwave range is only one of the 5G ranges. 5G will also use the same ranges as 3G and 4G. In the mmwave range transmitters will not have to transmit higher power levels. First because the use-case for this range is when there is NO obstacles to go through (it does not really work otherwise...), in short distance situations, and then also because beam forming will always be used. > especially when the benefits of 5G to the consumer are so dubious Benefits are not limited to browsing speed on your smartphone. 5G is designed to be able to handle massive number of connected devices (e.g. IoT), very low latency (e.g. self-driving cars, industrial control), and very high reliability (industrial control, etc)
- tboyd47 7y ago
  > the use-case for this range is when there is NO obstacles to go through (it does not really work otherwise...) So, on the one hand, 5G is going to make unicorns fly down and carry us to the heavens on wings of pure data, and on the other hand, it can't go through walls...? Research shows that two thirds of consumers are not willing to pay even $1 more for 5G internet. [0] Regardless of the promises companies are making to each other and consumers today, the demand for 5G just doesn't seem consumer-driven. --- [0] https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/consulting/library/consumer-intelligence-series/promise-5g.html https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/consulting/library/consum...
  - mytailorisrich 7y ago
    Most data are consumed indoor anyway, so mmwave will likely be used through indoor micro cells. mmwave also allows to boost capacity. As already written in my previous comment, 5G is not just about faster internet. Other use-cases are as important, if not more. Operators know they can't charge consumers extra.
    - testis321 7y ago
      This! You can put a mmwave basestation in a factory (a couple of cells near the ceiling) and controll everything (machines, "robots", transporters, forklifts, inventory,...) via LTE.
      - navaati 7y ago
        But why not just use wifi then ?
        mytailorisrich 7y ago
        Wifi has low capacity (in terms of number of connected devices) and offers no guarantee on anything (latency, reliability). It is not suited for critical and industrial applications.
    - tboyd47 7y ago
- jmiskovic 7y ago
  This is a very precise answer. Still, there is need for more cells as grandparent points out, and those cells will be closer to ground level than before. Other anticipated benefits are providing connectivity to fast vehicles (for example high speed trains) and providing mobile internet to whole buildings in situations where it's cheaper or more convenient than fiber optics or copper.
- JoeDaDude 7y ago
  The short range and poor transmission of the higher frequencies leads me to speculate that the intended use case is micro cells that replace wifi. There will be a micro cell in every conference room and hotel lobby.
4D1 7y ago
Its a tin foil hat thing. The mmWave frequencies are only going to be used in high population dense areas and will run at a lower power. Other than this, 5G will operate much like LTE with a few additions like beamforming antenna arrays. Frequency has very little to do with health risk until you get into MUCH higher frequencies than what we operate in. Its about output power, and this is federally regulated by most countries.

windsurfer 7y ago

For those that are curious, the wavelength of 86Ghz radiation is about 3mm.

mytailorisrich 7y ago

The mmwave range is only one of the 5G ranges. 5G will also use the same ranges as 3G and 4G. In the mmwave range transmitters will not have to transmit higher power levels. First because the use-case for this range is when there is NO obstacles to go through (it does not really work otherwise...), in short distance situations, and then also because beam forming will always be used. > especially when the benefits of 5G to the consumer are so dubious Benefits are not limited to browsing speed on your smartphone. 5G is designed to be able to handle massive number of connected devices (e.g. IoT), very low latency (e.g. self-driving cars, industrial control), and very high reliability (industrial control, etc)

tboyd47 7y ago
> the use-case for this range is when there is NO obstacles to go through (it does not really work otherwise...) So, on the one hand, 5G is going to make unicorns fly down and carry us to the heavens on wings of pure data, and on the other hand, it can't go through walls...? Research shows that two thirds of consumers are not willing to pay even $1 more for 5G internet. [0] Regardless of the promises companies are making to each other and consumers today, the demand for 5G just doesn't seem consumer-driven. --- [0] https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/consulting/library/consumer-intelligence-series/promise-5g.html https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/consulting/library/consum...
- mytailorisrich 7y ago
  Most data are consumed indoor anyway, so mmwave will likely be used through indoor micro cells. mmwave also allows to boost capacity. As already written in my previous comment, 5G is not just about faster internet. Other use-cases are as important, if not more. Operators know they can't charge consumers extra.
  - testis321 7y ago
    This! You can put a mmwave basestation in a factory (a couple of cells near the ceiling) and controll everything (machines, "robots", transporters, forklifts, inventory,...) via LTE.
    - navaati 7y ago
      But why not just use wifi then ?
      - mytailorisrich 7y ago
        Wifi has low capacity (in terms of number of connected devices) and offers no guarantee on anything (latency, reliability). It is not suited for critical and industrial applications.
  - tboyd47 7y ago
jmiskovic 7y ago
This is a very precise answer. Still, there is need for more cells as grandparent points out, and those cells will be closer to ground level than before. Other anticipated benefits are providing connectivity to fast vehicles (for example high speed trains) and providing mobile internet to whole buildings in situations where it's cheaper or more convenient than fiber optics or copper.
JoeDaDude 7y ago
The short range and poor transmission of the higher frequencies leads me to speculate that the intended use case is micro cells that replace wifi. There will be a micro cell in every conference room and hotel lobby.

4D1 7y ago

Its a tin foil hat thing. The mmWave frequencies are only going to be used in high population dense areas and will run at a lower power. Other than this, 5G will operate much like LTE with a few additions like beamforming antenna arrays. Frequency has very little to do with health risk until you get into MUCH higher frequencies than what we operate in. Its about output power, and this is federally regulated by most countries.