5G means hyper-connections between an ever-increasing number of connected devices. The implementation of 5G technologies will allow the definitive affirmation of the Internet of Things and the exponential increase of virtual reality solutions and augmented reality in the most disparate environments, starting from entertainment.
How will 5G impact on healthcare?
The “hyperconnections” works to promote a logic of decentralization of health care and centralization of patient data, with a consequent optimization of resources. 5G will allow doctors to use, for example, wearable devices to prevent or diagnose or perform online consultations or follow a patient’s adherence to a distance therapy or post-operative course or allow surgeons to operate from remote, in a much more efficient, reliable and secure way than it is already today.
Are there any health risks?
In order to implement the system, a denser network of cells and antennas is necessary to allow transmission and reception of the very high frequency electromagnetic waves used by the new technology, which, by their nature, have a lower penetration capacity.
And here is the Nimby syndrome looming.
All this technology could impact on the health of everyone: we do not know if and how much the 5G, or the exposure to radio frequencies necessary for the whole system to stand, can hurt. There are simply no studies guaranteeing the safety of living 24/7 in a forest of antennas and in a cloud of electromagnetic radiation; and this goes against the precautionary principle and is not particularly reassuring, especially for those used to reason in terms of real world evidence.
On the other hand, in our country, the auction for the 5G frequencies has been beaten and will bring into the coffers of the state something like 6.5 billion euros by 2022. Milan, Prato, L’Aquila, Matera and Bari are ready to enter, in 2020, in the world of 5G.
What interests will prevail?