5G waves are more powerful but also shorter in length because they operate at a higher frequency. These networks operate at frequencies ranging from 1 to 6 gigahertz, whereas 5G is closer to the 24 to 90 gigahertz spectrum, according to experts. As a result, frequency and wavelength are inversely proportional.ĥG uses a higher frequency than previous communication systems such as 3G, 4G, and LTE. The waves become shorter as energy increases over the electromagnetic spectrum-note that gamma rays are significantly more powerful and have more tightly packed waves than FM radio, for example. That makes sense because our eyes’ photoreceptors, known as cones and rods, can only detect light in the range of these frequencies. The visible spectrum, as shown in the diagram below, lies between ultraviolet and infrared light, or 400 and 700 nanometers. To understand why these two types of infrastructure are so dissimilar, we must first look at the fundamental technology that enables 5G:Įlectromagnetic Waves: The visible spectrum, or all of the light we can see, is part of a larger electromagnetic spectrum, yet it’s only a blip on the radar. Quite different from the lattice cell phone towers that enable LTE networks-hulking structures that are often 200 to 400 feet tall and spaced miles apart-5G networks rely mainly on compact units, aptly dubbed “small cells,” that are often affixed to existing utility poles in urban environments. People in the United Kingdom have burned down approximately 80 cell phone towers in recent months as a result of this fear mongering. With the commencement of the COVID-19 pandemic, the negative perceptions of 5G have gotten even worse, with some people making alarming, unfounded allegations that the coronavirus and the deployment of 5G towers are linked.
5G towers are the infrastructure that holds the network equipment for speedier internet access, and while they’re technically different from mobile phone towers-the gear produces higher frequency radio waves that are significantly shorter in length-they’re practically harmless.