The term 5G has attracted many interpretations and inferences, many of which are derived from a lack of knowledge and incorrect information, which are not necessarily related to reality. To understand the implications of placing 5G infrastructure in cities, it is essential to understand both the technology base and its capabilities in improving and upgrading the quality of life, politically, municipally, and personally.
What is 5G? 5G refers to “5th generation,” and the word generation when used in a technical reference, comes to describe progress, just as it does in a sociological reference. The term entered our lives with the development of the first cell phones, which were the first generation and relied on analog infrastructures. Over the years, we have seen technology evolve and develop so that once we grew beyond the second generation and moved to digital data transmission, the internet became an integral part of our lives. The third and fourth generations have incorporated steadily improved data transfer rate, including better visual capabilities, video calling, software and application development.
According to the evolution of telecommunications, it seems only natural and desirable to plan and implement the next advance in technology that will be designated as 5G, the fifth generation.
The technological advancement that the fifth generation will bring to us includes a high data transfer rate and low latency, allowing data transfer to thousands of users simultaneously, improved signal transmission, wide coverage, and reduced latency. The main advantage of 5G technology is an increasing number of reduced-exposure transmitters as mobile devices make less effort to contact the source of transmission. The full deployment of 5G will benefit everyone as they enable lower transmission of sites and cell-phones.
Moreover, the Ministry of Environmental Protection determines the maximum supply of the transmission centers so that the levels of radiation exposure will be at least ten times lower than the radiation exposure thresholds defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as harmless to the entire population.
All of this will be reflected not only in upgrading the private user experience but – above all – in creating tools and infrastructure for managing smart cities, smart homes, smart transportation, and a variety of other tools for improving civic life, economic savings, and managing a green environment.
Smart Cities. The most notable added value of 5G is creating infrastructure for various technological solutions that make a “smart city.” These tools lead to improved services for residents, increased efficiency in local government, and significant financial savings. The proposed tools that are already just around the corner include:
Traffic management
You can already see the early glimpses of smart city capabilities in the field of urban traffic management
● An array of smart traffic lights which manage real-time traffic loads and have led to a high percentage improvement in traffic congestion.
● The introduction of vehicle technology forms an integral part of the overall traffic system, connecting drivers, vehicles, and the surroundings.
● Priority for public transportation.
● Advanced software solutions that connect local authorities and the Ministry of Transportation.
Earthquake alert
An advanced warning system detects and warns of dangerous earthquakes, using a mechanical detector with an unparalleled level of stability and accuracy for ongoing measurement of earthquakes and detecting abnormal vibrations indicating an expected earthquake.
Security
Installation and implementation of smart cameras over large areas, using advanced video analysis solutions in open spaces to implement security, safety, and operation principles. Established systems can enable real-time viewing, data storage in the cloud, access to information at any time, computerized alert detection of unusual activity – for maximum security management, reduction of crime rates, and protection of citizens.
Garbage processing
An array of smart bins that constantly transmit information to the municipal authority regarding load, temperature, and humidity, to create an effective evacuation system to:
● prevent the formation of sanitary hazards
● monitor the frequency and dates of evacuation
● save manpower and municipal efficiency
.
Water efficiency
A smart system for detecting leaks and water damage as soon as they are formed prevents the spread of damage and facilitates immediate treatment. It also includes the ability to remotely control a large number of water and sewage systems, receive real-time alerts for leaks and floods, abnormal temperature, detachment of essential components, and abnormal water consumption. These measures bring water savings as well as efficiency in the management of the water economy and maintenance costs.
Health services
An example of an important advantage brought by the deployment of advanced technology outside the local authority is remote health services, which allow online meetings with doctors and specialists, perform home testing, upload the results to a centralized system, analyze the results, and provide an immediate response. This will allow for a more efficient, fast, and extremely high level of service.
Alongside these, you can also find many examples of improving processes and efficiency in the areas of education, culture, environment, resident services, and more. It is important to note that both when it comes to improving the service directly to the resident and also when it comes to efficiency that leads to economic savings for local authorities, it is clearly in the interest of the residents of the authority, whose tax money will return to serve them better.
The connection between 5G and Corona Virus
The corona crisis has caused authorities, states and citizens to face a frightening reality: uncertainty. Even today, over a year after the initial outbreak in China, no factor has been found that can indicate with certainty the cause of the outbreak. The connection to bats was found after it was proven that bats are indeed carriers of the virus (along with hundreds of other viruses). Still, no one knows whether it is a natural outbreak, under what circumstances, and whether people are responsible for its spread. This crisis, like various situations of uncertainty throughout history, has spawned quite a few conspiracy theories, including accusing world leaders of spreading an epidemic to serve political needs and/or achieving economic superiority, together with another conspiracy theory circulated throughout social media: a connection between Corona and 5G technology.
The first theories stated that the deployment of technology in China and the US caused the epidemic. An even more absurd theory claims that stakeholders spread the epidemic to imprison citizens in their homes, thus promoting technology deployment.
These are, of course, unproven and unfounded statements with no connection to reality, which have been circulated by opponents of technology, relying on and disseminating incorrect information. It is important to note that the best doctors and scientists have determined that this is a live virus that has no connection with technologies and radiation whatsoever, and who have, moreover, examined the impact of technology on the public through hundreds of studies by global health organizations and private bodies, and have concluded that 5G uses non-ionizing radiation, which does not have the effect of detaching electrons from atoms, the factors which can lead to changes in DNA and diseases such as cancer. The World Health Organization has clearly stated and published that no connection has been found between the deployment of 5G technology and any health damage.
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