Page 31 - Summer 2019 Journal

Getting Informed About 5G
By Katie Singer
Most people consider mobile technologies neces- sary for school, work and household function- ing. Arguing against the technologies’ expansion or in favor of their regulation is, therefore, especially chal- lenging. As telecommunications (“telecom”) providers begin mapping their plans to deploy 5G—the fifth genera- tion of wireless infrastructure—concerned citizens who do not want 5G “small cell” sites throughout neighborhoods
seek constructive action.
In our zeal for electronic things (and now, wireless devices), we have
nearly saturated our environment with man-made electromagnetic radiation (EMR). With the advent of 5G, small cell networks will emit microwave radiation around the clock at largely untested frequencies. Each site’s elec- tronic gear also poses fire and collapse hazards as well as liability, privacy and security issues. If getting informed is the first step toward constructive action, let’s ask: How did we get to 5G? Why do we need it? How will it affect our health? How (or can) we prevent it?
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