When to wait for 5G: GSMA expert spoke about the health effects of 5G

what is 5G


How the life of ordinary subscribers will change with the advent of 5G, how much communication prices will increase, and whether this technology is really dangerous to health. GSMA expert John Guisti spoke about the health effects of 5G.

Explain in simple words to those who are not tech-savvy - what is fifth-generation communication?


5G is a natural development of networks of generations 2G, 3G, and 4G. But this is not just evolution but in a sense a revolution. Partly because 5G networks offer us opportunities that previously did not exist. This is not just an advantage regarding the increase in bandwidth that we previously could not get, but also ultra-high-speed data transmission with a very small signal delay, as well as the ability to select specific network segments when a dedicated communication channel is provided for individual subscribers.

This technology of identifying individual network segments, in addition to increasing the quality of service for ordinary consumers, also creates a completely new situation for vertically integrated businesses. 

But despite the fact that 5G is an evolution of 4G, fourth-generation networks will remain important for a long time to come.

What changes with the advent of 5G will ordinary subscribers feel on themselves?


In principle, this applies to technologies of any generation - you never know exactly what the future will bring to you.

When 4G networks appeared, no one could have expected the large-scale economic consequences that they would bring with them.

Now it’s hard to say exactly how it will look, but, first of all, thanks to ultra-high-speed data transfer and a very low signal delay, new gaming applications, some kind of gaming technology and immersion in virtual reality will become possible. 


And in the same way, as in the case of 3G-4G networks, technology first appears, and only then innovation-oriented people who come up with what can be done with it.


When, in your estimation, should we expect the widespread adoption of 5G so that this technology is available to everyone?

It is worth noting that this will depend on the regional specifics, but, nevertheless, 5G networks already exist - there are 35 fifth-generation networks in 18 countries. In the next two years, their number will increase. If we talk about the period 2020-2025, then it is then that 5G will become an integral part of all that is associated with mobile data transmission of subscribers.

How much will the cost of mobile services increase in connection with the advent of 5G? 

The fact is that there is so much competition in the mobile industry that communication prices do not rise due to inflation or the introduction of new technologies. It seems to me that 5G provides other opportunities, namely market diversification, the ability to provide services for vertically integrated industries. Here, the main element will still be market

Could such a situation happen that 5G will cause such a price increase, because of which this technology will not be affordable for a large part of the population?

In the world of mobile communications, there is no such thing when new technologies are aimed at some niche segment, on the contrary, success is achieved due to the substantial coverage of all subscribers.

It seems to me that you first need to implement these networks, and only then try to expand coverage. 

In my opinion, the most interesting thing related to mobile devices is the fact that every year we get more and more from them. The main reason for this is that we provide our services in a very, very competitive market. 

Why is the 3.4-3.8 GHz band considered the “gold standard” for 5G? Does this mean that other frequency ranges are unsuitable for this technology? 

“Absolutely not.” 3.4-3.8 GHz is the main spectrum for 5G because it provides a balance between speed and coverage. But in order to use all the features and functions of 5G, you need the whole spectrum of frequencies. Low frequencies up to 1 GHz will be required to provide wider coverage, and ultra-high-speed data transmission will require high frequencies that are in the millimeter range. 

However, 3.4–3.8 GHz is a very convenient starting point where global agreement has been reached.

Does this mean that those countries that cannot deploy 5G networks in this range will lag behind in the speed of implementation of this technology?


Hard to say. It seems to me that the key element for the country to go forward and develop is the harmonization of the frequencies that they have available. It seems to me that sooner or later everyone will come to this because when I talk about the harmonized spectrum, I mean that for this spectrum it is possible to produce the corresponding devices, which will also be affordable.

But, if the spectrum is not harmonized, that is, not the one that is needed, it may happen that the cost of equipment increases, and subscriber devices will cost more and may not be available to consumers.


Why is this happening - for different frequencies different equipment is used?

The fact is that frequency ranges are allocated on the basis of international agreements, and only then equipment manufacturers create their products, bearing in mind the volumes that, according to their own forecasts, they will be able to sell on the market. That is, if the manufacturer knows that the 3.4-3.8 GHz band is used in Europe, the Middle East, and other countries, then he plans his production in such a way that it is possible to produce this equipment at a given cost level. 

If this is a different frequency range, then such a product is also possible, but the volume of equipment will be less, and the unit cost is higher, which will cost the buyer more.

In addition, harmonization is important in the context of travel - when a person comes to another country with his mobile phone, it would be nice if your model worked in the same frequency range that is accepted in this country.

Do I understand correctly that the deployment of 5G at these frequencies is possible, but will take more time and cost more?

In any case, when you are dealing with a spectrum of frequencies that is not accepted around the world, it will always be somewhat more complicated. That is why there is a desire to cooperate with regulatory authorities of various regions of the world in order to solve these problems, which relate specifically to the middle-frequency range. 


There are rumors that 5G carries potential health risks. Are there any studies to confirm or deny this?


The World Health Organization is very actively engaged in this issue. There are internationally accepted limit values ​​on which the use of frequencies for mobile communications depends.

There have been many studies whose results demonstrate that if the specified limits are not violated, then no harm is done to health. 


Similar concerns were expressed when 2G, 3G, 4G networks were deployed - and now 5G. The problem here is exactly the same, but the research results are clear and understandable - if the work is carried out within the limits established by scientific research, then nothing will happen to you. I am not aware of such cases when a country deliberately went to violate these limits.

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