What is 5G? And why is everyone talking about it?

Apple announced a new set of iPhones this week, introducing new devices that come with 5G technology.

Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, touted the company’s move to 5G, suggesting it will change how to iPhone works.

• “This is a huge leap for iPhone, bringing the best 5G experience in the market and delivering our most advanced technologies to users who want the absolute most from their iPhone,” he said. “Each generation of iPhone has changed what we expect from a smartphone, and now with 5G, iPhone 12 Pro provides a new generation of performance. Our tight integration of hardware and software enables incredible computational photography features like the expansion of Night mode to more cameras, and introduces support for HDR video with Dolby Vision. A state-of-the-art LiDAR Scanner means users can experience AR like never before, and also offers benefits to the camera with faster autofocus in low light and the introduction of Night mode portraits. These experiences and so much more make this the best iPhone lineup ever.”

But questions surrounded 5G technology since it has been tied to conspiracy theories over the last few years. Here’s a quick breakdown of what 5G does and the controversy surrounding it.

What is 5G?

5G is a wireless network technology that “will be faster and able to handle more connected devices than the existing 4G LTE network,” according to CNN. This means technology will be quicker and easier to use. Internet pages and apps will load faster.

Experts say the “the benefits of the new technology are expected to fuel transformative new technologies, not just for consumers but also for businesses, infrastructure and defense applications,” according to CNN.

How does 5G work?

• 5G sends signals over radio frequencies.
• Companies basically build a 5G network and then place little cell sites at light polls, walls and towers across the country. It’s usually distributed city by city.

Are there conspiracy theories?

• Yes. There is one major 5G conspiracy theory out there that it has helped spread the novel coronavirus, according to BBC News. The theory suggests the 5G mobile phones transmit the virus between people and that it lowers our defenses to the virus.
• Scientists have largely debunked this conspiracy theory.

When does 5G come out?

5G likely won’t be widely available for a few years, experts recently told NPR. The infrastructure to host it will take years to build.

• “Now we have an iPhone that is capable of exploiting the benefits of the 5G wireless network, but we have an underdeveloped network,” Tom Forte, a D.A. Davidson research analyst, told NPR. “It could take a couple (of) years for that to happen.”

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