PhD Gordan Šišul, FER, Zagreb
Basics of mobile communications networks
You can wonder why this is not the case with digital terrestrial television (or radio) when transmitters (base stations) are mostly outside the populated areas. The reason lies in the fact that it is a different form of communication or data transmission. In television we talk about broadcasting, which is a one-way transmission of the same data to all users. In this case, every user (regardless of their number) within a cell can always get the same capacity or quantity of data. Capacity is not shared. So here, for economic reasons, it is convenient to have large cells and transmitters can be located outside the settlement.
The grounds of 5G technology -- why 5G?
5G represents the fifth generation of public mobile networks. The fifth generation of mobile networks is an upgrade of existing mobile networks, which is enabled by the advancement and development of several technologies. If you had to explain and describe yourself with one term, you would say 5G is a comprehensive network. It represents a single universal integrated network for different types of traffic (service) with the possibility of data transmission almost in real time (latency of ~1 ms). Therefore, it has the ability to connect everything that surrounds us and as such is the key to the realization of Industry 4.0. We know that Industry 4.0 is based on convergence of networking and smart systems. So if we want to be fully connected and have acceptably small delays (in real time), we are forced to use fifth generation mobile network services. 5G network represents a complex and expensive system and will take a long time to be deployed. It is necessary to have a lot of base stations available, build an expanded fixed access optical network to which base stations will be connected, have access to a lot of frequency spectrum, use artificial intelligence to manage and process large quantities of data. New concepts in network architecture are also needed, such as centralization and virtualization, i.e. Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization, etc. NFV), then use of cloud computing and much more. The aim of all this immense technology is to have the following three main types of services at the same time:
Wireless (or radio) interface of 5G network is very similar to 4G network, and signal shapes in 4G and 5G are obtained using the same techniques. In order to meet the set requirements on the network, it will be implemented at different transmission frequencies and with different channel widths. In particular, it will be implemented where there is available spectrum. In the Republic of Croatia 5G will operate at 700 MHz, 3.5 GHz and 26 GHz. The only big news of 5G technology compared to the previous ones will be the “new” field of operation at 26 GHz (where it will be implemented at the latest). Bigger cells and better signal coverage can be achieved at lower frequencies (700 MHz) (signal attenuation is weaker, diffraction is more relevant), but due to available narrower channel widths, the achievable transmission speeds cannot be so high. This area is convenient for covering rural areas and roads because there is no such a need for capacity, and it is also useful for connecting sensors. The 3.5 GHz area provides sufficient capacity and here a significant increase in speed will be seen compared to 4G. Unfortunately, the existing locations of base stations (so-called sites) will not be sufficient for the entire coverage of the desired area, but additional antenna masts (and base stations) will also have to be installed. This is because existing generations of mobile networks work on slightly lower frequencies (800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2600 MHz). Nevertheless, operators will find this band very interesting (probably the most interesting) for implementation. The 26 GHz band provides opportunities for “extreme” data transmission speeds, but due to the low range (high attenuation, no communication without optical visibility) it will be financially expensive and very difficult to achieve the desired coverage. In the beginning, it is certain that only the so-called hot spots will be installed in urban areas, which will serve to demonstrate the power (speed) of new technology. Only after a longer period of time and large financial investments will it be possible to achieve some “significant” coverage with the 26 GHz signal.
A significant news of 5G networks in relation to previous generations, in the radio part of the network is the usage of more advanced and complex antenna systems that allow the signal to focus towards the user. This technique is emphasized in the 3.5 and 26 GHz bands. There are no significant performance differences between 4G and 5G networks at the 700 MHz frequency band.
Electromagnetic fields of electronic communications networks and impact on human beings and the environment
The type of signal in the fifth generation mobile communications systems is similar to the 4G signal format, but it is also similar to the signals used in Wi-Fi (wireless local network), digital terrestrial television and digital terrestrial radio. All these systems operate at different frequencies (or wavelengths), have different powers, different channel widths. (But they're all radio waves). So if we compare the 5G signal impact with that of 4G signals of the same level and close frequency, we can't talk about an increased risk. The 5G technology is no more dangerous than the existing wireless communication technologies with the same exposure level. The 5G network operating mechanisms in the 700 MHz and 3.5 GHz bands do not differ from other wireless technologies, and the news is operation at 26 GHz band. By increasing the frequency, the depth of penetration into the human organism is decreasing, only the skin is exposed to the effect of heating. This effect is not a consequence of technology but of the operating frequency. The public considers high frequencies a special threat, but the penetration of electromagnetic waves (non-ionizing) into the body is smaller, and thus the effect on tissues and internal organs is smaller. Once again, I note that this frequency of 26 GHz also belongs to non-ionizing radiation (this frequency is still more than a million times lower than the frequency of ionizing radiation).
Studies on the harmfulness and impact of 5G mobile communications networks
We should be honest and say that it is very difficult to conduct this type of research (the influence of electromagnetic radiation on the human organism). Experiments on humans cannot be conducted, and the mapping of results obtained from animal studies on humans is not unambiguous. It is a demanding procedure to establish a statistical analysis of the occurrence of diseases in humans related to the influence of electromagnetic radiation. Namely, it is difficult to create a large control group of subjects in which other health impacts (e.g. air and water pollution, food pollution) can be excluded.
There are many studies and many results. The biggest problem is the fact that there is an inability to reproduce research and obtain the same results. We know that every scientific research is based on repeatability. Simply put, the result of the same scientific experiment must always be the same regardless of the number of repetition of experiments.
5G and COVID-19
Banning the 5G networks and impact on technological development
The new thing that 5G brings is support to realization of 4.0 Industry as well as realization of different types of traffic (services) with the possibility of data transmission almost in real time. Full realization of 5G networks (not only improved broadband access) provides preconditions for further technological advancement of society. Banning 5G would mean denying new advanced services, reducing the profits and competitiveness of companies, income to the individuals, the state and society.
We live in a democracy and it will be the way the majority decides, and it is up to me, with my expertise, to present the facts to the public and facilitate the choice. Unfortunately, rationality sometimes doesn't live in people.
- Why do we need base stations?
- Why are base stations implemented in populated areas?
- Is it possible to plan mobile communications networks in such a way that base stations are deployed outside inhabited places and what would be the consequences of such planning?
You can wonder why this is not the case with digital terrestrial television (or radio) when transmitters (base stations) are mostly outside the populated areas. The reason lies in the fact that it is a different form of communication or data transmission. In television we talk about broadcasting, which is a one-way transmission of the same data to all users. In this case, every user (regardless of their number) within a cell can always get the same capacity or quantity of data. Capacity is not shared. So here, for economic reasons, it is convenient to have large cells and transmitters can be located outside the settlement.
The grounds of 5G technology -- why 5G?
- What makes 5G different from the existing technologies in mobile communications networks (e.g. 4G, 3G, 2G) and is there a need for its deployment?
- What frequencies do 5G networks use?
5G represents the fifth generation of public mobile networks. The fifth generation of mobile networks is an upgrade of existing mobile networks, which is enabled by the advancement and development of several technologies. If you had to explain and describe yourself with one term, you would say 5G is a comprehensive network. It represents a single universal integrated network for different types of traffic (service) with the possibility of data transmission almost in real time (latency of ~1 ms). Therefore, it has the ability to connect everything that surrounds us and as such is the key to the realization of Industry 4.0. We know that Industry 4.0 is based on convergence of networking and smart systems. So if we want to be fully connected and have acceptably small delays (in real time), we are forced to use fifth generation mobile network services. 5G network represents a complex and expensive system and will take a long time to be deployed. It is necessary to have a lot of base stations available, build an expanded fixed access optical network to which base stations will be connected, have access to a lot of frequency spectrum, use artificial intelligence to manage and process large quantities of data. New concepts in network architecture are also needed, such as centralization and virtualization, i.e. Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization, etc. NFV), then use of cloud computing and much more. The aim of all this immense technology is to have the following three main types of services at the same time:
- Improved mobile broadband access,
- Mass communication with sensors and simple machines,
- Ultra-Reliable and Low-latency Communications - URLLC.
Wireless (or radio) interface of 5G network is very similar to 4G network, and signal shapes in 4G and 5G are obtained using the same techniques. In order to meet the set requirements on the network, it will be implemented at different transmission frequencies and with different channel widths. In particular, it will be implemented where there is available spectrum. In the Republic of Croatia 5G will operate at 700 MHz, 3.5 GHz and 26 GHz. The only big news of 5G technology compared to the previous ones will be the “new” field of operation at 26 GHz (where it will be implemented at the latest). Bigger cells and better signal coverage can be achieved at lower frequencies (700 MHz) (signal attenuation is weaker, diffraction is more relevant), but due to available narrower channel widths, the achievable transmission speeds cannot be so high. This area is convenient for covering rural areas and roads because there is no such a need for capacity, and it is also useful for connecting sensors. The 3.5 GHz area provides sufficient capacity and here a significant increase in speed will be seen compared to 4G. Unfortunately, the existing locations of base stations (so-called sites) will not be sufficient for the entire coverage of the desired area, but additional antenna masts (and base stations) will also have to be installed. This is because existing generations of mobile networks work on slightly lower frequencies (800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2600 MHz). Nevertheless, operators will find this band very interesting (probably the most interesting) for implementation. The 26 GHz band provides opportunities for “extreme” data transmission speeds, but due to the low range (high attenuation, no communication without optical visibility) it will be financially expensive and very difficult to achieve the desired coverage. In the beginning, it is certain that only the so-called hot spots will be installed in urban areas, which will serve to demonstrate the power (speed) of new technology. Only after a longer period of time and large financial investments will it be possible to achieve some “significant” coverage with the 26 GHz signal.
A significant news of 5G networks in relation to previous generations, in the radio part of the network is the usage of more advanced and complex antenna systems that allow the signal to focus towards the user. This technique is emphasized in the 3.5 and 26 GHz bands. There are no significant performance differences between 4G and 5G networks at the 700 MHz frequency band.
Electromagnetic fields of electronic communications networks and impact on human beings and the environment
- What types of electromagnetic radiation do we distinguish and can you briefly explain them?
- What kind of electromagnetic radiation transmits a network of mobile communications?
- Does EM radiation of 5G mobile communications networks differ from those of previous generations (e.g. 4G, 3G, 2G) and what is their impact on the human organism and the environment?
- What are the differences in the operation and EM radiation of modern wireless communications (e.g. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mobile communications)?
- Are there certain precautions and how to apply them?
The type of signal in the fifth generation mobile communications systems is similar to the 4G signal format, but it is also similar to the signals used in Wi-Fi (wireless local network), digital terrestrial television and digital terrestrial radio. All these systems operate at different frequencies (or wavelengths), have different powers, different channel widths. (But they're all radio waves). So if we compare the 5G signal impact with that of 4G signals of the same level and close frequency, we can't talk about an increased risk. The 5G technology is no more dangerous than the existing wireless communication technologies with the same exposure level. The 5G network operating mechanisms in the 700 MHz and 3.5 GHz bands do not differ from other wireless technologies, and the news is operation at 26 GHz band. By increasing the frequency, the depth of penetration into the human organism is decreasing, only the skin is exposed to the effect of heating. This effect is not a consequence of technology but of the operating frequency. The public considers high frequencies a special threat, but the penetration of electromagnetic waves (non-ionizing) into the body is smaller, and thus the effect on tissues and internal organs is smaller. Once again, I note that this frequency of 26 GHz also belongs to non-ionizing radiation (this frequency is still more than a million times lower than the frequency of ionizing radiation).
Studies on the harmfulness and impact of 5G mobile communications networks
- What are the studies on the effect of mobile radiation on the human body so far?
- Are there any studies on the effect of 5G networks on human body and its harmfulness?
- What makes the study professionally and scientifically relevant?
We should be honest and say that it is very difficult to conduct this type of research (the influence of electromagnetic radiation on the human organism). Experiments on humans cannot be conducted, and the mapping of results obtained from animal studies on humans is not unambiguous. It is a demanding procedure to establish a statistical analysis of the occurrence of diseases in humans related to the influence of electromagnetic radiation. Namely, it is difficult to create a large control group of subjects in which other health impacts (e.g. air and water pollution, food pollution) can be excluded.
There are many studies and many results. The biggest problem is the fact that there is an inability to reproduce research and obtain the same results. We know that every scientific research is based on repeatability. Simply put, the result of the same scientific experiment must always be the same regardless of the number of repetition of experiments.
5G and COVID-19
- According to your knowledge, is there any connection between the usage of 5G technology and the outbreak of COVID-19?
Banning the 5G networks and impact on technological development
- Do you think 5G technology should be banned and what are the possible consequences of such a ban?
The new thing that 5G brings is support to realization of 4.0 Industry as well as realization of different types of traffic (services) with the possibility of data transmission almost in real time. Full realization of 5G networks (not only improved broadband access) provides preconditions for further technological advancement of society. Banning 5G would mean denying new advanced services, reducing the profits and competitiveness of companies, income to the individuals, the state and society.
We live in a democracy and it will be the way the majority decides, and it is up to me, with my expertise, to present the facts to the public and facilitate the choice. Unfortunately, rationality sometimes doesn't live in people.