Last March, the Mobile World Congress was held — the world’s most important congress on mobile communication and new technologies. Its host city has been Barcelona since 2006, and this year it ran from 26 February to 1 March. More than 120,000 exhibitors gathered to showcase the most innovative products and services and to share the big ideas that will shape the future of the industry. One of the central themes of the congress was 5G mobile technology. This fifth generation will be around 10 times faster than 4G, making it possible, for example, to download 3D films in seconds, but also to control thermostats, sensors, smart cars, homes, robots and other new technologies. Ericsson’s president, Börje Eckholm, spoke of “major advances” and pointed out that developing the 5G network is essential in order to channel the growing flow of data and serve an exponentially growing number of devices. Barcelona is aiming to become the world’s first 5G city. In 2011 it began its transformation into a digital city. In 2014 it was named the first smart city in Europe, and by 2020 it aims to be a pioneer in 5G. To achieve all this, 5G technology will require extremely high-frequency electromagnetic fields, in addition to low- and mid-band radio frequencies with faster speeds to handle a swelling river of data. This type of radiation loses strength when passing through walls or ceilings, which means companies will need to install thousands — perhaps millions — of miniature towers on every streetlight, next to buildings, inside every home or office, and potentially in every room. This “cutting-edge” technology will surely bring comfort and benefits in certain areas, but does it make sense to roll it out if we have no information about its long-term effects? Because… do we actually know whether this technology is safe for our health? In September 2017, more than 180 scientists and doctors from around the world called on the EU for a moratorium on 5G networks because of the health risks involved. They state that there is no scientific evidence proving this technology is safe; on the contrary, there is plenty of evidence of harmful effects observed during the rollout of previous technology generations (2G, 3G, 4G, WiFi).
The signatory scientists believe that the rollout of 5G undermines the Precautionary Principle recognised by the European Union and may breach the Nuremberg Code of medical ethics. They also point out that the European Environment Agency has long been warning about the risks posed by radiation from everyday wireless devices. They mention effects of RF-EMF that “include an increased risk of cancer, cellular stress, an increase in harmful free radicals, genetic damage, structural and functional changes to the reproductive system, learning and memory deficits, neurological disorders and negative impacts on the general wellbeing of human beings”. It does not affect humans alone, “since there is growing evidence of harmful effects on both animals and plants.” For all these reasons, they are calling on the EU to postpone the rollout of 5G until truly impartial scientists have shown that exposure to this technology will not harm children, infants and unborn babies. They are also calling for the application of Council of Europe Resolution 1815 (2011) and for “all reasonable measures to reduce exposure to electromagnetic fields, especially radiofrequencies” to be taken (lowering the legal exposure limits, favouring wired telecommunications over wireless ones, informing the public about the risks — including in the fields of health and education — and so on), as well as the creation of a working group of independent scientists to assess the risks based on current scientific knowledge, in order to prevent the influence of industry lobbies from determining the decisions made by European institutions. Our home is our refuge, a space created and designed by us and for our safety. At what point did this technology enter our most intimate spaces? We have been deprived of our freedom to choose what we let into our spaces. If, at night, I wanted to stop all this radiation surrounding me, it would simply be impossible. Will we never again have the chance to disconnect?
Sources: http: //www.lavanguardia.com/ tecnologia/20180301/ 441167361920/mwc-2018-5g.html https://www.ecologistasenaccion.org/?p=34982
