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12/14/2021

The French National Frequency Agency (ANFR) published a preliminary analysis of more than 3000 measurements of public exposure to radiofrequency radiation carried out in 2020 and 2021. 

All the frequency bands currently used in 5G have been studied. The results show that the exposure is comparable before and a few months after the introduction of 5G. As a reminder, the  700 MHz and 2100 MHz bands have already been used for many years by 3G and 4G. The new 3.5 GHz frequency band was the subject of authorizations for use by ARCEP on November 12, 2020. 

Regarding the 700MHz and 2100 MHz bands, the first results show that the public’s exposure to radiofrequency radiation remains stable. despite their adaptation to 5G. 

Regarding the 3.5 GHz band, the first results show that the exposure increases very slightly, the additional contribution of this new band being able to be evaluated at 0.11 V / m, which is low compared to the limit. regulatory, set at 61 V / m for this band.  This frequency band reserved for 5G has the particularity of being equipped with new steerable beam antennas which direct their exposure to 5G users located in their vicinity. In the current state of 5G deployment, few users use the network and exposure is therefore reduced. The ANFR will therefore continue its analysis in order to monitor changes in exposure as a function of the increase in traffic.

Initial results from artificially generated traffic  show an average increase of 16% in exposure. These results suggest a long-term increase of around 20% in overall exposure in areas where the 3.5 GHz band will be deployed, to be compared with the 50% additional capacity that this new band provides for mobile networks.

Read the complete article at

Preliminary Study Report https://www.anfr.fr/fileadmin/mediatheque/documents/expace/20211214-exposition-5G.pdf

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(Auto-translated from French) https://tinyurl.com/brhx5ukx

Technological developments and the multiplication of digital uses are modifying the exposure of the population to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields. With the deployment of 5G, new frequency bands are being (3.5 GHz band), or will soon be used (26 GHz band). In line with its research on radiofrequencies and health, and on the basis of the scientific data available to date, ANSES considers it unlikely that the deployment of 5G in the 3.5 GHz frequency band will present a new health risk. For the 26 GHz frequency band, the data are not, at present, sufficient to conclude on the existence or not of health effects. As knowledge of the links between exposure and health effects needs to be strengthened, ANSES stresses the need for further research, and in particular, to monitor changes in the exposure of populations as the number of antennas changes and the use of networks increases. On April 20, 2021, the Agency is launching a public consultation in order to gather possible comments from the scientific community and interested stakeholders.

5G: new 3.5 GHz and 26 GHz bands to allow higher speeds and communications between more connected objects

The major difference between 5G and previous generation mobile networks is the much larger amount of data that should be able to be exchanged without network congestion. This new technology aims to promote the development of innovative services and new uses, both for individuals and businesses in multiple areas: virtual reality, transport, urban connections, industry, telemedicine, online education.

Beyond the exploitation of the frequency bands already used by other mobile technologies, 5G now uses the 3.5 GHz band for coverage in large geographical areas , allocated to the four mobile operators at the end of 2020. The 26 GHz band will complete the network in the next few years, particularly for communication between connected objects.

Deployment of 5G in the 700 MHz-2.1 GHz frequency band largely covered by previous ANSES research

To date, operators have mainly deployed 5G in the 700 MHz – 2.1 GHz band. This band includes frequencies used for several years by the current generations of mobile communication, 2G, 3G and 4G.  

Previous work carried out by ANSES on the effects linked to exposure to electromagnetic waves in the radiofrequency range indicates that there is currently no proof of a health effect linked to electromagnetic fields sources corresponding to current digital uses. The examination of possible effects, such as the development of cancer, impaired brain function or fertility, however, continues to be the subject of research and evaluation.

For exposure levels, studies carried out internationally and by the National Frequency Agency (ANFR) show that they vary little with antennas emitting 3G, 4G or 5G signals.

Deployment of 5G in the 3.5 GHz band: new health risks unlikely

The 5G mobile telephone network in the frequency band around 3.5 GHz has recently been commercially opened in France. The resulting exposure to electromagnetic fields today is not representative of what it will be in the future.

Due to the lack of scientific data concerning possible effects at this frequency, ANSES has carried out additional investigations to identify whether exposure to different frequencies of electromagnetic radiation causes the appearance of different biological effects or in modulus. intensity. A rigorous extrapolation of the results of scientific studies carried out at different frequencies to draw conclusions about the possible effects in the frequency band around 3.5 GHz was not considered feasible by the experts.  

In addition, the available data relating to exposure, particularly abroad and in studies carried out by ANFR in connection with the experiments, do not suggest, in the state of knowledge, a significant increase in exposure. exposure of the population.

In view of these elements, the Agency considers it unlikely that the deployment of 5G in the frequency band around 3.5 GHz currently poses new health risks.

Exposure to the frequency band around 26 GHz: exposures concerns the superficial layers of the organism and of a probably low level, but insufficient data to conclude whether or not a risk to health exists.

As the deployment of 5G applications in the frequency band around 26 GHz is still in the planning stages, no exposure data is currently available.

ANSES considered a widened frequency band, from 18 to 100 GHz, for which the depth of penetration of the waves is similar, to investigate the possible effects on health described in the available scientific literature. This mainly studied the effects on the skin, the eye, the membranes, the central nervous system and cells from various human or animal tissues (skin, neurons, cornea, etc.).

ANSES sought to assess the probable exposure in the 26 GHz band: it differs from other frequency bands by a much smaller depth of penetration of the waves into the body, of the order of a millimeter, exposing surface layers of the skin or eye. The available simulations suggest low exposure levels .

However, at present, the data are not sufficient to conclude whether or not there are health effects linked to exposure to electromagnetic fields in the 26 GHz band.

A need to continue producing new data and knowledge

As knowledge of the links between exposure and health effects needs to be strengthened, ANSES stresses the need for further research. Indeed, the Agency’s experts recommend characterizing the exposures and deepening our knowledge of the links between exposure and biological or health effects for new frequencies, including experimental studies. Work on 5G has led to the identification of the need to take into account new points of attention (eg signal intermittence or surface layer exposure for the 26 GHz band). It will also be particularly important to monitor the evolution of exposure as the antenna base expands and the use of networks increases.

A public consultation of the Agency’s work until June 1, 2021

In view of the societal interest in the subject and the possible rapid emergence of new data in connection with the current deployment of 5G, the Agency is launching a public consultation on April 20, 2021 in order to collect any comments from the scientific community. and interested stakeholders. A completed report and opinion, if applicable, will be published after taking into account the comments received during this consultation, which begins today for a period of 6 weeks.

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See the ANFR diagram at the above link.

The French National Frequency Agency has published the results of its study on radiation exposure created by mobile telephony (Mobile telephony: wireless phones that connect to phone towers to perform calls). This simulation, which takes into account the evolution of 4G and the arrival of 5G, tends to demonstrate that “the increase in exposure due to 5G in the 3.5 GHz band would remain moderate”.

Still at the experimental stage, 5G is at the heart of the debate in France. As of September 1 , 500 5G experimental stations in the 3.5 GHz band are authorized in France, including 483 stations in metropolitan France (67 for Bouygues Télécom, 353 for Orange, 54 for SFR and 9 for Free Mobile) and 17 in addition. sea ​ (Réunion). 

Operators are continuing to prepare as the auction for the allocation of 5G frequencies will begin on September 29 . In the meantime, the National Frequency Agency has decided to take stock of the radiation exposure, taking into account the arrival of 5G.

The results of this study  (PDF) have just been published and allow us to draw several lessons. Before looking at the results, the ANF explains that its simulation work was carried out in the 14th arrondissement of Paris, a very dense urban area. 

The agency also approached the Scientific and Technical Center for Building (CSTB) to carry out its study and take into account different scenarios.

The first scenario consisted in modeling the current state of mobile networks in the district, made up of a combination of 2G, 3G and 4G technologies, explains the ANFR in its report. This scenario is called “Initial State” . 

A second scenario has been designed to “reflect the ultimate optimization of 4G” , excluding the deployment of 5G ( “optimized 4G” scenario ). For the last two scenarios, the ANFR takes into account the arrival of 5G.

The third consisted of modeling the exposure produced by the entry into service of 5G in the 3.5 GHz band by using steerable beam antennas (“5G only” scenario). 

Finally, the last scenario combines the “optimized 4G” and “5G only” scenarios under the name “Majorant 5G” and presents itself as the most critical scenario.

4G optimization would increase the radiation exposure

The ANFR first notes that without 5G, the public’s exposure to airwaves should continue to increase to meet the growing demand for mobile connectivity in dense areas. An increase of around 70% compared to the current situation is mentioned. The agency indicates that the “optimized 4G” scenario tends to demonstrate that a possible delay in 5G would not have the effect of stabilizing public exposure at the current level. Indeed, a “significant increase in exposure in dense areas” is to be expected “to allow the 4G network to attempt to support part of the expected growth in traffic” 

The National Frequency Agency nevertheless specifies that “even in a theoretical maximalist configuration, the levels would remain very low with regard to the limit values ​​set between 36 and 61 V / m” . Indeed, the average exposure level is evaluated at 2.30 V / m outdoors and 1.30 V / m indoors.

The increase in exposure due to 5G “would remain moderate”

Regarding scenarios with 5G, the study indicates that “the increase in exposure due to 5G in the 3.5 GHz band would remain moderate, due to the steerable beam antennas  ” . 

The average level created by 5G is 1.36 V / m outdoors and 0.76 V / m indoors. For the ANFR, this shows that “5G steerable beam antennas in the 3.4-3.8 GHz band should not ultimately be the main contributor to exposure, including in dense urban areas where  these antennas should be widely deployed ”. It should be noted that 5G will be launched in France by first using this frequency band, the auction of September 29 aiming to allocate operators “blocks” of frequencies in the band ranging from 3.4 to 3. , 8 gigahertz (GHz).

Finally, the “Majorant 5G” scenario occupies a special status in this simulation. The study shows that it would lead to an increase in average exposure of around 30% compared to the “optimized 4G” scenario . At the same time, the implementation of the new 3.5 GHz band will have simultaneously increased the frequency allocation of operators by 50%. Nevertheless, the ANFR notes that this is a theoretical construction which “will undoubtedly never be implemented” . Indeed, the deployment of 5G “will not allow the optimization of 4G to be completed” .

Thomas Estimbre

https://labo.fnac.com/actualite/exposition-ondes-5g-anfr-publie-simulation/

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(Auto translated from French)

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Vodacom and MTN are still waiting on ICASA to assign radio frequency spectrum for 5G networks. Rain is the only company in South Africa to have launched its 5G commercial network ( February 2019). They were able to launch the 5G service in Johannesburg by using the 3.6 GHz spectrum already licensed to them. Rain spokesperson Khaya Dlanga stated that they are fully compliant with licence conditions as far as legislation is concerned.

Although 5G technology is already installed and has been tested in some places in South Africa like Soweto, it will not be available commercially soon, since the radio frequency spectrum needed is not available, in particular, the 3.5 GHz band.

The allocation of prime radio frequency is expected only in the second half of 2022 or beyond. In fact, the much-awaited 4G-spectrum auction will take place only later this year.

The licensing of the higher 5G frequencies (24.25 to 86 GHz) will only be considered by the government after the World Radio Communication Conference in November 2019.

5G technology will primarily have two major applications in the first years of deployment

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