5G – some definitions

Recap: as a campaign our concerns about 5G and the other ‘G’s, including WiFi, are the effects of chronic exposure to pulse modulated and polarised man made signals. The newer phased array signals may add further effects as well. It is established that there are non thermal biological effects from non ionising RF radiation. (Government maintains that there are only thermal effects arising from high power exposure)

Over the years there has been alot of confusion about what 5G technology actually is. Telco applicants, Planners, Campaigners are often ‘at sea’ regarding the specifics. Here are some answers on the tech as a refresher course for 2024:


1) ARE THE 868MHz FREQUENCY SENSORS/EMITTERS IN LED LIGHTS THE SAME AS ‘5G SMALL CELLS’?

No, the 868 MHz frequency sensors/emitters used in LED lights are not the same as 5G small cells. These are two different technologies serving different purposes.

868 MHz Sensors/Emitters in LED Lights:

  • Purpose: The 868 MHz frequency is commonly used for short-range, low-power communication, particularly in IoT (Internet of Things) applications. In LED lights, this frequency might be used for wireless control, communication between smart lighting systems, or for energy-efficient sensor networks.
  • Technology: This band is often associated with technologies like LoRa (Long Range) or other proprietary low-power communication protocols. These are designed to operate over limited distances and require minimal power, ideal for applications like smart homes, automation, and environmental sensing.

5G Small Cells:

  • Purpose: 5G small cells are used to provide cellular coverage and capacity in specific areas, particularly in densely populated urban environments or inside buildings. They are part of the 5G network infrastructure and help enhance network performance by increasing data throughput and reducing latency in localized areas.
  • TechnologySmall cells use licensed 5G frequencies, which are typically in the Sub-6 GHz (e.g., 3.5 GHz) or mmWave (e.g., 24 GHz and above) bands. These frequencies are much higher than 868 MHz and are specifically allocated for cellular communication to deliver high-speed internet, low latency, and other advanced 5G features.

Key Differences:

  • Frequency Band: 868 MHz is a lower, unlicensed band used for short-range communication, while 5G small cells operate in higher, licensed frequency bands allocated for mobile communication.
  • Functionality: 868 MHz emitters in LED lights are for local communication and control, whereas 5G small cells are for enhancing mobile network coverage and performance.
  • TechnologyThe technologies and protocols used in these two applications are entirely different, with 5G small cells being part of the broader cellular network infrastructure, and 868 MHz emitters being part of localized, often proprietary communication systems.

2) ARE CERTAIN FREQUENCIES ASSIGNED TO 5G NETWORKS AND OTHER FREQUENCIES NOT SO ALLOCATED? 

Yes, specific frequencies are allocated to 5G networks, and other frequencies are reserved for different uses. The allocation of frequencies is managed by national and international regulatory bodies, such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and local regulators like the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States or Ofcom in the UK.

Frequency Allocation for 5G Networks

5G networks operate primarily within three frequency ranges, which are divided into:

  1. Low-Band Spectrum (Sub-1 GHz)
    • Frequencies: Generally below 1 GHz (e.g., 600 MHz, 700 MHz).
    • Purpose: Provides wide coverage and good penetration through buildings and obstacles but offers lower data speeds compared to higher frequencies.
  2. Mid-Band Spectrum (1 GHz to 6 GHz)
    • Frequencies: Commonly around 2.5 GHz, 3.5 GHz, and 4.9 GHz.
    • Purpose: Balances coverage, capacity, and speed, making it a core component of many 5G deployments.
    • Use Cases: Urban and suburban areas where both coverage and higher data speeds are needed.
  3. High-Band Spectrum (Millimeter Wave or mmWave)
    • Frequencies: Typically 24 GHz and above, including 28 GHz, 39 GHz, and up to around 100 GHz.
    • Purpose: Offers extremely high data speeds and capacity but with limited coverage and poor penetration through obstacles.
    • Purpose: Offers extremely high data speeds and capacity but with limited coverage and poor penetration through obstacles.
    • Use Cases: Dense urban areas, stadiums, and other high-traffic locations where high capacity is needed.

Non-5G Allocated Frequencies

Frequencies not allocated to 5G are reserved for other purposes, including:

  1. Legacy Cellular Networks:
    • 2G, 3G, and 4G networks use various frequencies that are often distinct from those assigned to 5G.
  2. Wi-Fi and Unlicensed Bands:
    • Frequencies like 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz are commonly used for Wi-Fi and other unlicensed wireless communication technologies.
  3. Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) Bands:
    • Bands like 868 MHz (in Europe) and 915 MHz (in the US) are allocated for non-commercial, low-power uses such as industrial control systems, IoT devices, and other short-range communication technologies.
  4. Broadcasting:
    • Frequencies like the UHF band (470–700 MHz) are allocated for television broadcasting.
  5. Satellite Communication:
    • Specific bands, such as the C-band (4–8 GHz), Ku-band (12–18 GHz), and Ka-band (26.5–40 GHz), are allocated for satellite communication.

Key Points

  • Regulated Allocation: Regulatory bodies assign specific frequency bands to 5G to avoid interference with other services and ensure efficient spectrum usage.
  • Global Variation: While there is international coordination, the specific frequencies allocated for 5G can vary by country depending on local regulations and existing spectrum use.
  • Exclusive and Shared Use: Some 5G frequencies are exclusively allocated to 5G networks, while others may be shared with other services under certain conditions.

The careful management of frequency allocation ensures that 5G networks can coexist with other technologies and services without causing interference.


3 ) IS 868MHZ A 5G FREQUENCY?

No, 868 MHz is not a 5G frequency. The 868 MHz band is primarily used for short-range, low-power communication technologies such as LoRa (Long Range) and other Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band applications in Europe. It is commonly used for IoT (Internet of Things) devices, smart meters, and other wireless sensor networks.

5G frequencies, on the other hand, are defined by 3GPP and typically fall into two main categories:

    Sub-6 GHz bands: These are frequencies below 6 GHz, including:

        Low-band spectrum (e.g., 600 MHz, 700 MHz)

        Mid-band spectrum (e.g., 3.5 GHz)

    Millimeter-wave (mmWave) bands: These are frequencies above 24 GHz, including:

        24 GHz, 28 GHz, 39 GHz, and higher bands (up to around 100 GHz)

These bands are used to achieve different 5G performance characteristics, such as broad coverage and high data rates. However, 868 MHz is not included in the frequencies allocated for 5G networks.

A 5G protocol in 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) is defined by a set of standards and specifications that outline the architecture, functionalities, and procedures for 5G networks. These protocols ensure interoperability and consistent performance across different equipment and networks. Key elements that define a 5G protocol in 3GPP include:

  • Radio Access Network (RAN) Specifications:
    • New Radio (NR): 5G uses NR as its air interface, which includes specifications for frequency bands, carrier aggregation, beamforming, and more.
    • Dual Connectivity: Allows devices to connect to both LTE and NR simultaneously, ensuring seamless transitions and improved data rates.
  • Core Network (CN) Specifications:
    • 5G Core (5GC): A new core network architecture that supports the 5G system, providing a more flexible and service-based architecture compared to the LTE’s EPC (Evolved Packet Core).
    • Network Slicing: This allows multiple virtual networks to be created on a shared physical infrastructure, each optimized for different services or applications.
  • Service-Based Architecture (SBA):
    • The 5G core network is designed around a service-based architecture, where network functions are implemented as services that can be accessed through standardized interfaces.
  • Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communications (URLLC), and Massive Machine-Type Communications (mMTC):
    • These are the three primary use cases for 5G, each with specific protocol requirements in terms of data rates, latency, reliability, and device density.
  • Security Protocols:
    • 5G protocols include enhanced security mechanisms, such as improved encryption and authentication processes, ensuring more secure communication across the network.
  • QoS (Quality of Service) Framework:
    • 5G introduces a more granular and flexible QoS framework, allowing different services to receive appropriate network resources according to their specific requirements.
  • Interworking with LTE and Legacy Networks:
    • 5G protocols define how 5G networks interact with existing LTE and earlier networks, ensuring backward compatibility and smooth handovers between different generations of mobile networks.

3GPP releases, like Release 15, 16, 17, and beyond, include detailed technical specifications that define these protocols. Each release builds on the previous one, introducing new features and improvements to the 5G standard.


4) DOES COLLIMATION AND PHASED ARRAY DEFINE 5G?

Collimation and phased array are important concepts in the implementation of 5G networks, particularly in relation to antenna technology and beamforming, but they do not define 5G by themselves. Instead, these techniques are part of the advanced technologies that enable 5G to achieve its performance goals, such as higher data rates, improved coverage, and lower latency.

Collimation in 5G

  • Definition: Collimation refers to the process of aligning the phases of an electromagnetic wave so that the waves travel in parallel, effectively focusing the beam in a specific direction. This is important in antenna design, where collimated beams can be used to target specific areas or devices.
  • Use in 5G: In 5G, collimation is often discussed in the context of beamforming. Beamforming is a technique where multiple antenna elements are used to direct the transmission of a signal toward a specific user or device. This focused beam is “collimated” to minimize interference and maximize the signal strength at the receiver.

Phased Array in 5G

  • Definition: A phased array is a group of antennas in which the relative phases of the signals feeding the antennas are varied in such a way that the effective radiation pattern of the array is reinforced in a desired direction and suppressed in undesired directions.
  • Use in 5G: Phased array technology is central to beamforming in 5G. By adjusting the phase of the signal at each antenna element in an array, the direction of the beam can be dynamically controlled. This allows 5G networks to adapt to changing conditions and efficiently allocate resources to users who are moving or located in different positions.

Role of Collimation and Phased Array in 5G

  • Beamforming: Both collimation and phased arrays are critical for beamforming, which is a key technology in 5G. Beamforming enhances signal strength, reduces interference, and allows multiple users to be served simultaneously, even in dense environments.
  • Massive MIMO: Phased arrays are also integral to Massive MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output), a technology that uses a large number of antennas to improve spectral efficiency and network capacity in 5G.
  • mmWave Technology: In the millimeter-wave (mmWave) bands used by 5G, the ability to precisely direct beams is especially important because these frequencies have shorter range and are more susceptible to obstacles.

Summary

Advanced Antenna Techniques: These concepts are part of the advanced antenna techniques that make 5G more efficient and capable of delivering high-speed, low-latency connections across a wide range of environments.

Not Defining, but Enabling: While collimation and phased array technology are crucial for achieving the capabilities of 5G, they are enablers rather than defining characteristics of 5G. 5G is defined by a broader set of standards and technologies, including new radio interfaces, core network architecture, and spectrum utilization.


5) DOES THE POWER DROP OFF ALONG A COLLIMATED BEAM

Yes, the power does drop off along a 5G collimated beam, but the rate and characteristics of this drop-off can be more complex compared to a standard, non-collimated signal.

Key Points on Power Drop-Off in a Collimated Beam:

  1. Inverse Square Law:
    • In free space, the power density of a radio wave typically drops off according to the inverse square law, meaning that as the distance from the source doubles, the power density decreases by a factor of four.
    • A collimated beam, by focusing energy in a specific direction, can mitigate the effects of the inverse square law over short distances, resulting in a more gradual decrease in power.
  2. Beam Divergence:
    • Even in a collimated beam, there is some degree of divergence over distance due to the physical properties of electromagnetic waves and limitations in perfect collimation.
    • This divergence causes the beam to spread out slightly as it travels, leading to a gradual reduction in power density over long distances.
  3. Atmospheric and Environmental Factors:
    • The power drop-off along a 5G collimated beam is also affected by environmental factors such as atmospheric absorption, scattering, and reflection.
    • Higher frequency signals, such as those in the millimeter-wave (mmWave) bands used in 5G, are particularly susceptible to attenuation due to these factors, even in a collimated beam.
  4. Near-Field vs. Far-Field:
    • In the near-field region (close to the antenna), the power distribution can be more complex and may not follow a simple inverse square law. However, in the far-field region (farther from the antenna), the power drop-off generally aligns with the principles described above.
  5. Beamforming and Adaptive Control:
    • In 5G, beamforming techniques can adaptively control the direction and focus of the beam to maintain higher power levels over the desired communication path, even as the beam spreads.
    • This adaptive control helps counteract some of the power loss, especially when the user or device moves within the coverage area.

Summary

Mitigation: 5G technologies like beamforming help mitigate the effects of power drop-off by dynamically adjusting the beam to maintain stronger signals over the communication path.

Power Drop-Off: The power of a collimated beam in 5G does drop off with distance, but the rate of drop-off can be less severe compared to a non-collimated beam, especially over short distances.

Complex Behavior: The drop-off is influenced by factors such as beam divergence, atmospheric conditions, and the transition from near-field to far-field regions.

News July/August 2024

EECC and objectors rights: Judicial Review, London. Karen Churchill and Neil McDougall assert that the Government failed to enact the public health protection provisions within the European Electronic Communications Code in the EECC Directive (EU) 2018/1972, when it was transposed into UK Law in December 2020, and that local authorities need to be equipped to undertake risk reconciliation.

Currently, Government policy effectively prevents the local authorities from assessing the health and environmental impacts of masts and small cells.

The initial application for Judicial Review has been dismissed, so permission is now being sought to appeal the dismissal. The defendants are claiming that Aarhus (support for environmental issues) cost capping does not apply; the Government are arguing the EECC’s focus does not concern environmental isues. The initial costs of £36,000+ are being firmly contested as clearly the case primarily concerns  environmental and health impact provisions. Your support to help secure the case proceeding is vital as this opportunity to restore our right to partake in Planning with regard to protecting ourselves from risk and known harms.

Please support the case via the gofundme page as they need to cover their costs to continue with this vital challenge.


Cheltenham case: Judicial Review, High Court Cardiff. Steven Thomas argued 2 grounds against the council concerning a mast that was approved when it is 17m and 100m from residences, which also housed vulnerable groups. A legal win for a mast objector in Cheltenham, explains the hearing. Steven is lodging an appeal against the grounds ignored or in his view incorrectly dealt with.

Meanwhile do keep objecting to mast applications, see below.


New blogs:

https://rfinfo.co.uk/can-rfr-ionise-the-air/

https://rfinfo.co.uk/5g-some-definitions/

SIGN UP TO NEWSLETTER

Mast Applications

•Take action steps on RFinfo: UPDATED Template Letter Step2: rfinfo.co.uk/mast-objection/

New portal for Mast planning application comments – ‘Esthers list’ August 2024.

Environment

Data Centers in Ireland Overtake All Urban Electricity Use Combined

Bath Rally for Sanity 7th July: write up of the event: UK: Smart City Trials Making a Spa City Sick?

Off grid camping in Wales for a break from everyday exposures.

Cell Tower Radiation Linked to Genetic Changes in Nearby Residents. More Chromosomal Aberrations 
A Finding Too Hot To Handle. Senior European scientists are reporting that people living near cell phone towers show significant changes in their genetic makeup. This is the first time that chronic exposure to cell tower radiation has been linked to unrepairable genetic damage.

Health and Research

ES UK summer newsletter – cancer and RF, children and phones ….

As the market demand for this new ‘fast and effective’ communication technology is expected to expand exponentially in the near future, we face a very realistic question: “Where are we going to generate all of this energy simply to transport and store data?” 5G and the fast connectivity technologies are promoted as more efficient and energy saving. But how environmentally friendly will this be with exponentially increasing and widespread use?

Bacterial Effects of EMF Exposure, Sharon Goldberg MD. 2 years ago but good to review. 19mins.

Why electrohypersensitivity (EHS) is a biologically expected reaction to harmful radiation. Henziger/Budzinski

Please get rid of your cellphones now. Cellphone taskforce June.

Schools start to ban smart phones. Pupils at a preparatory school in the high-end borough of Kensington and Chelsea in London will give students as young as 10 a basic Nokia phone which can only receive texts and calls, amid the latest clampdown on smartphones. Eton College is also doing the same, along with about 11% of other schools. The reasons of course are not to do with the microwave radiation, but discipline and mental health, but it is a good step, that can invite further questioning. “We already have overwhelming evidence that smartphones fundamentally rewire every mental, physical, social and emotional aspect of children’s lives” The Spectator.

Richard Vobes – “Did Radiation Kill The Children”?

Radiation Levels Taken Outside Millstead School. Letter of Concern from EM Radiation Research Trust to UK Health Security Agency North West and Public Officials about this mast, after pupils die of mysterious causes. The Invisible Danger: Electromagnetic Frequencies, article on the same school from the WCH.

Freequencies – Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of The Year 2024. 13min film.

Desert Sage High School, a tuition-free, public Waldorf-inspired school in Tucson AZ has taken numerous steps to reduce cell tower,  wireless and cell phone radiation exposure to students and staff.

Technical

Another WHO RF Review Challenged. More than 99% of Studies on Oxidative Stress Discarded

Radiofrequency Exposure Limits: Implications for 5G. Presentation given by Canadian physicist Paul Héroux presented at the 7th World Electrosensitivity Day online conference, June 16-17 2024. He states that (at 27.38) the industry is planning to change the SAR measurements for 5G, making them even wider, from 1degree heat to 5degrees heat.

Italy’s 6 V/m RF Limit at Risk. Industry Sees Strict Standard as Barrier to 5G Development
Seeks To Bring It into Line with ICNIRP.

Independent Scientists Call for Retraction of Flawed Review of Science on Wireless Radiation. CHD.

How do radio frequency radiation and electromagnetic fields affect human beings? 2min animation

Legal and Resistance

Update  on the state of play of the Legal campaign in the UK. 43mins. “Mockery of the Law and us – Councils & Court Cover-Up” Karen Churchill, Steve Thomas.

Communication with Bath council about risk obligations (5G smart City)