Myth-busting 5G: Risks Versus Benefits of Better Broadband

Think of the power that you carry in your pocket, on your wrist, or in your bag every day thanks to mobile technology such as smartphones, tablets, and smart watches. Our world is going digital and we're consuming more data as a result. This demand is causing congestion on existing networks and leading to breakdowns in service, particularly when lots of people in the same area are trying to access online mobile services at the same time. And with business and education pivoting virtually, access to dependable broadband is more imperative than ever. Yet many areas of the UK lack fast, reliable internet access. 

5G is the solution we need in a post-pandemic and increasingly digital world. It is the next generation of mobile internet connection, and can provide much faster download and upload speeds while easily handling high amounts of traffic. But what else is to be gained from 5G, and what risks are associated? 

Is 5G Dangerous? 

There has been much discussion about the safety of 5G, with some going as far as mistakenly theorising that the technology is to blame for coronavirus. The truth is that neither 5G nor mobile phone usage have increased our risk for health issues. In fact, because 5G requires more transmitters that run at lower power levels than current 4G technologies, the level of radiation exposure from 5G antennas will be lower than what we’re currently exposed to. 

Big Picture Benefits and Risks 

5G has much more to offer than just faster download speeds and better data coverage. The benefits of 5G span beyond the individual to the macroeconomic level. 

An independent report conducted by Assembly Research and commissioned by Huawei found that the total estimated benefit of 5G is ￡173bn between 2020 and 2030. It is expected that this benefit will come from the improvements which businesses will be able to make with stronger internet connectivity, such as adopting Artificial Intelligence and other next generation technologies. 

To put into perspective just how impactful 5G will be on the economy, the Huawei report presents figures for what potential delays or setbacks in 5G adoption could cost the UK. It is predicted that a 3-year delay in 5G rollout could cost approximately ￡18.2bn. ￡10bn of this are productivity benefits that would be lost entirely. The remainder is a loss across the mobile sector (￡4.7bn), related industries (￡2bn), and the economy at large (￡1.5bn). Given the hits that the UK economy has already taken due to the pandemic, this financial setback would be a massive blow. 

Adopting 5G would help the UK become a stronger global competitor in the digital race, and help to improve the rate at which we develop and implement new technologies. Choosing to opt out or delay innovation will come with costly consequences that are likely to be felt long term.