Editor’s Note: This week, The Bleeding Edge is highlighting one of the biggest trends on our radar: the rollout of the 5G networks. As Jeff says, 5G isn’t just evolutionary; it’s revolutionary. For three days, we’ll be spotlighting the investment potential of 5G with three special morning editions of The Bleeding Edge. Here’s day three: the 5G disinformation war.
As the 5G build-out swings into high gear, one concern keeps popping up in the feedback that readers send my way. Many people worry that this new generation of wireless technology will bring with it a wave of health issues… ranging from cancer to nosebleeds to autism:
I have seen zero coverage… on 5G health hazards… I do not believe it will be harmless to human health, not at all…
– Shawn S.
5G is a killer… Do your research!!!!!… Geez… I really thought most awake intelligent people know just how BAD 5G really is for humanity and the planet.
– Tina C.
With regard to the health concerns surrounding 5G, couldn’t U.S. interests be… motivated to quash studies researching the safety and potential health consequences of the technology…?
– Christen P.
I’ve addressed this concern in the past. But I know it’s a popular question. So today, we’ll try to get to the bottom of it.
First, let me state it outright: I do not believe 5G poses a health risk… And research supports that. Many of these same health concerns arose during the emergence of 4G… And yet the problems failed to materialize.
However, I understand that new technologies can be frightening. Especially to anyone who isn’t a scientist or researcher. So let’s explore why I’m so certain that the 5G fears will be another nonevent.
Mobile phones emit radiofrequency radiation, or radio waves, which are a form of non-ionizing radiation. This kind of radiation is normal and all around us. Non-ionizing radiation only has enough energy to excite a molecule, and the byproduct is merely heat.
Ionizing radiation, by contrast, is higher frequency and can be a severe health hazard. It can cause radiation sickness, burns, cancer, and even genetic damage. Ionizing radiation is the kind of radiation we find in using nuclear power.
It is important to be clear that 5G wireless technology is a form of non-ionizing radiation. And for that matter, so is the current 4G wireless technology and every other generation prior to that.
Since radio frequencies (RF) have been used in radio, TV, wireless networks, and many other services for decades, this is a careful area of study for regulatory agencies to ensure that these RF waves have no negative impact on consumers’ health.
To be very clear, there has been no conclusive evidence that RF wireless technology causes any side effects in consumers who use, or even those in the presence of, wireless networks.
A study in Denmark analyzed the records of more than 358,000 mobile phone subscribers with brain tumor incidence data from the Danish Cancer Registry. The “analysis found no association between cell phone use and the incidence of glioma, meningioma, or acoustic neuroma, even among people who had been cell phone subscribers for 13 or more years.”
For obvious reasons, I’ll continue tracking this topic closely as 5G wireless networks become more widespread.
But it’s important to note that all 5G-enabled smartphones will still meet the safety limits and standards set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which is informed by the FDA.
But now I’d like to focus on a different question.
Where did this idea of dangerous 5G even come from? How did an improvement in our wireless technology generate such anxiety?
I think I know…
You might be skeptical when you hear what I have to say, but please keep an open mind.
Deploying 5G wireless networks is such a competitive advantage that it’s become a race between countries to be the first to build out 5G.
Governments around the world recognize that the sooner they build out these networks, the sooner they become more competitive as a nation.
And, of course, the absence of these networks would be a severe competitive disadvantage at a national level. So it’s in the best interest of countries to build out these networks nationwide as quickly as they can.
In February of this year, Russia launched its own 5G program. But its progress on the 5G rollout is far behind the United States or China…
That’s why RT America (formerly “Russia Today”) aired a segment titled “A Dangerous ‘Experiment on Humanity.’” The media piece outlined how 5G is connected to everything from brain cancer, infertility, and even Alzheimer’s despite having no scientific support.
Keep in mind, RT is funded by the Russian government. And we already know that the Russian government has been proven to have highly structured programs to mingle in U.S. affairs and influence public thinking. RT is widely considered to be a propaganda machine to support Russia’s interests.
And what better way to slow down America’s 5G rollout – and give Russia time to catch up – than to spread misinformation and doubt about the safety of the technology?
You might be doubtful. But keep in mind, 5G is expected to unleash an estimated $12 trillion in wealth in the coming years. Whichever country sets the 5G precedent will be the economic powerhouse of the next decade.
We should ask ourselves this: What wouldn’t a government (with questionable ethics) do to secure that advantage?
But there’s one other insight you should take away from this. If world governments are waging economic warfare to secure 5G dominance, it suggests how transformative this technology really is.
That’s why I’ve been saying that investing in key 5G companies is a once-in-a-decade opportunity. Smart investors stand to make 10 times their money with a few key investments.
And that’s why I’m hosting my 5G investment summit – The Final Phase of the 5G Boom – tomorrow at 8 p.m. ET. I’ll give you the name of my favorite 5G company to add to your watchlist. Go right here to save your spot.
Regards,
Jeff Brown
Editor, The Bleeding Edge
The Bleeding Edge is the only free newsletter that delivers daily insights and information from the high-tech world as well as topics and trends relevant to investments.
The Bleeding Edge is the only free newsletter that delivers daily insights and information from the high-tech world as well as topics and trends relevant to investments.