5G and EME

What is 5G

5G is the 5th generation of mobile technology, a significant evolution of today’s 4G LTE technology.  5G has the potential to transform the way we all live and work. It will deliver more capacity and faster speeds but on top of that it will support vastly more connected devices at low latency. 

5G will take us from a world of connecting people to each other and the internet to a world of ultra-fast mobile speeds and the Internet of Things on a mass scale.  These enhancements will unleash a host of new opportunities – everything from smart cities and smart homes, to drones and driverless cars, to augmented reality in both entertainment and at work.

the connected community diagram

The ‘Connected Community’ illustrates how 5G and wireless communications provide essential communications for Australian communities – image courtesy Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association.

How 5G works

5G uses radio waves or radio frequency EME to transmit and receive voice and data.  You’ll find more on how 5G works on the EMF Explained web site.

 

In 2018, Telstra opened a new 5G Innovation Centre at our Southport telephone exchange on the Gold Coast.  The centre is the home for testing the next generation of mobile technology in local conditions to support the deployment of 5G in Australia.

In 2016, we conducted Australia’s first 5G live field trial and in 2017 the world-first 5G trial data call over 26GHz ‘mmWave’ radio frequency spectrum.

From the 5G Innovation Centre, we completed several other 5G firsts and trials in 2018 to ensure Australia remains at the forefront of mobile technology. In August 2018, Telstra announced it had started switching on 5G technology for public use, making Australia’s largest and fastest* mobile network the first in the country to be 5G ready. As of January 2021 more than 50 per cent of Australia’s population now live inside of our 5G coverage footprint. And we’re not done yet: we’re aiming for 75 per cent population coverage before the end of June 2021. Learn more about Telstra’s 5G

*based on national average mobile speeds

Telstra has conducted extensive electromagnetic emissions (EME) testing and analysis on the 5G trial and commercial networks including mmWave. The EME levels measured were found to be well below the safety limits, and in many cases over a thousand times lower.

Read more facts about 5G EME and our safety-limit testing

As Telstra has done with previous generations of mobile technology, Telstra's new 5G service will be designed to comply with all mandatory EME safety requirements.  Further information on the EME standards is available at the ACMA web site.

Telstra has conducted extensive electromagnetic emissions (EME) testing and analysis on the 5G trial and commercial networks including mmWave. The EME levels measured were found to be well below the safety limits, and in many cases over a thousand times lower.

  • Telstra's 5G trial network

    In 2017 we conducted EME testing on Telstra's early 5G trial network on the Gold Coast using mmWave technology. The purpose of the measurements was to find out the EME levels associated with this new technology. Our measurements showed 5G signals are comparable to other radio signals in the environment and significantly lower than the ARPANSA public safety limit.

    EME assessment of Telstra's 5G trial network – WHO conference - 22 June 2018 (PDF, 2.1MB)

  • 5 Surveys of 5G

    In 2018/19 we completed extensive testing of our 5G network infrastructure in real-world settings using commercially available 5G devices, and our data confirms two things

    1. Our 5G technology produces electromagnetic energy (EME) levels at around 1000 times below the safety limits in many cases.
    2. All our testing has found 5G EME levels to be similar to 3G, 4G and Wi-Fi.

    Read our blog and testing report

  • 5G vs 50 devices - testing our 5G network and EME in a 'smart apartment'

    In 2020 we set up a 5G and Wi-Fi-connected smart apartment on the Gold Coast with over 50 connected devices, then invited a family with teenagers and their friends to stay over a long weekend to access high-speed unlimited internet and data over 5G.

    Overall, the EME levels from 5G, 4G and Wi-Fi in a smart apartment with over 50 connected devices were all very low, even under high usage when being ‘maxed out' – the EME results measured were more than 10,000 times below the public safety limits. As a point of comparison, we measured higher EME levels from the local FM and TV broadcasts, and from a baby monitor in the bedroom.

    Read our EME testing blog

  • 50 surveys of 5G mmWave

    During 2020 and 2021, Telstra conducted a 5G mmWave small cell trial in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast using a scientific license from the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

    As part of the trial, we conducted extensive 5G mmWave small cell EME testing at over 50 locations in real world settings including cafés, playing fields, residential streets, apartments, homes, schools, childcare centres, metropolitan shopping precincts, CBDs, public transport hubs, and our own laboratory and demonstration centres.

    Our testing results show the EME levels in the general environment from the 5G small cells to be very low, less than 1% of the EME safety limits and ranged from 0.28 to 0.0005 % of the public safety limit. In most cases the 5G small cells produced EME levels over 1000 times lower than the public safety limit even under high activity.

    50 surveys of 5G mmWave Small Cell EME Testing – September 2021 (PDF, 4.7 MB)

  • 5G 850 MHz EME Testing

    In 2021 we conducted EME testing on Telstra's 5G low band spectrum at 850MHz in 4 towns on the Gold Coast at locations including parks, schools, kindergartens, residential streets, industrial factories and sports facilities.

    Our testing showed that 5G 850MHz average EME levels were very low, well below the safety limits, and ranged from 0.0046 to 0.0069 % of the public safety limit. By comparison the 3G 850MHz average EME levels were similar and ranged from 0.0014 to 0.01% of the public safety limit at the same locations.

    Telstra EME testing presentation and report – May 2021 (PDF, 1.3MB)

    Telstra 5G 850 low Band EME Testing – September 2021 (PDF, 1.05MB)

5G & EME Fact Sheet (PDF, 1.2MB) – information from Telstra.

5G uses radio waves or radio frequency EME to transmit and receive voice and data – connecting our community. 

The frequencies used for 5G are part of the radio frequency spectrum which, for decades, has been extensively researched in terms of health impacts. Over 50 years of scientific research has already been conducted into the possible health effects of the radio signals used for mobile phones, base stations and other wireless services. This research includes the frequencies for 5G and mmWave.

The data from this research has been analysed by many expert review groups. Weighing the whole body of science, there is no evidence to convince experts that exposure below the guidelines set by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) carries any known health risks, for adults or children. The safety standard in Australia is based on these guidelines.

In March 2021, two new scientific reviews were published by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) and Swinburne University of Technology that found no evidence of adverse health effects from the radio waves used in 5G including mmWave.

The review assessed 107 experimental studies that investigated various biological effects including genotoxicity, cell proliferation, gene expression, cell signalling, and membrane function and 31 epidemiological studies that investigated exposure to radar, which uses radio waves similar to 5G.

‘In conclusion, a review of all the studies provided no substantiated evidence that low-level radio waves, like those used by the 5G network, are hazardous to human health,’ said Dr Karipidis, Assistant Director, Assessment and Advice at ARPANSA

There is also an extensive, readily accessible database, EMF-Portal (https://www.emf-portal.org/en) of scientific research into the effects of EME, including studies on the effects of radio frequency (RF) on health. It is managed by the RWTH Aachen University, Germany and linked from the World Health Organization (WHO) website.

In terms of research specifically into 5G frequencies, the database lists approximately 350 studies on mmWave EME health related research. Extensive research on mmWave and health has been conducted on radar, microwave and military applications.

Telstra relies on the expert advice of several national and international health authorities, including the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), the International Commission for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), for overall assessments relating to health and safety. 

ARPANSA's assessment is that 5G is safe.   ARPANSA is the Australian government's primary authority on radiation protection and nuclear safety.  ARPANSA's research indicates that there is no established evidence for health effects from radio waves used in mobile telecommunications. This includes the upcoming roll-out of the 5G network.

ARPANSA presented a summary on 5G, EME and Health at the Federal Government Inquiry on 5G which can be viewed here - ARPANSA's submission to the Federal Government Inquiry on 5G safety.

Commonwealth Department of Health – advice from Chief Medical Officer January 2020

In terms of EME safety standards, the current Australian and international EME human exposure guidelines also apply to 5G.

The human exposure guidelines have been established by independent scientific organizations, such as the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), and include substantial margins of safety to protect all people including children.

The Australian EME safety standard from ARPANSA is called Radiation Protection Series S1.

The updated ICNIRP guidelines were developed after a thorough review of all relevant scientific literature, scientific workshops and an extensive public consultation process. They provide protection against all scientifically substantiated adverse health effects due to EMF exposure in the 100 kHz to 300 GHz range

The Australian and International EME Safety standards

  • are very conservative and include large reduction factors
  • protect all people including children exposed to radiofrequency EME in the frequency range 100 kHz to 300 GHz
  • cover the frequencies used for 5G, including mmWave bands

References -  ICNIRP RF EMF Guidelines 2020, ARPANSA EME Safety Standard

1. What EME safety standards apply to 5G?

The current Australian and international EME human exposure guidelines apply to 5G.  

The human exposure guidelines have been established by independent scientific organizations, such as the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), and include substantial margins of safety to protect all people including children.

The Australian EME safety standard from ARPANSA is available here.

2. Are the EME safety standards current?

Yes.  The EME exposure guidelines from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) and the International Commission for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) are still current.

3. When do the EME safety standards get reviewed?

Both ARPANSA and ICNIRP continually monitor the scientific literature and update the EME exposure guidelines as required.  ARPANSA maintains a radiation literature survey on their web site that provides updates on published literature including articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals, scientific-body reports, and conference proceedings.

4. What frequencies is Telstra using for 5G?

5G uses 3 frequency bands:

  • Low Band (700 – 900MHz) – for coverage
  • Mid Band (1800 – 3600MHz) – for coverage and capacity
  • High Band (26-28GHz) – for localised coverage and capacity 

5. What assurance can Telstra provide that 5G is safe for people?

At Telstra we take our responsibilities regarding the health and safety of our customers and the community very seriously.   We have a dedicated team with responsibility for managing EME compliance and we ensure that all Telstra base stations and devices are designed to meet Australian EME safety standards.

6. What research has been done on 5G and EME?

Research on the possible human health effects of exposure to radio frequencies that will be used for 5G including the millimetre wave frequencies goes back many decades and is continuing.

In terms of research specifically on millimetre wave frequencies, the WHO and EMF Portal database lists approximately 350 studies on mm-wave EMF health related research.

Research on mm-wave and health has been conducted on radar, microwave and military applications.

7. What are millimetre waves?

Millimetre waves refer to radio frequencies in the Extremely High Frequency band from 30GHz to 300GHz.   The wavelength at 30GHz is 10mm and at 300GHz is 1mm.  This is the official definition from the International Telecommunications Union.

Frequencies in the 26-28GHz band that will be used for 5G are also referred to as millimetre wave as the wavelength is approximately 11mm.

8. Are millimetre waves safe?

Yes. Both the medical and scientific experts say that 5G is safe. The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) is the Australian Government’s primary authority on radiation protection and nuclear safety. Recent scientific reviews by ARPANSA and Swinburne University of Technology found no evidence of adverse health effects from low-level radio waves used in 5G, including mmWave.

Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, has stated publicly that ‘I’d like to reassure the community that 5G technology is safe. There is no evidence telecommunication technologies, such as 5G, cause adverse health impacts.’

9. Are millimetre waves absorbed by humans?

Yes.  When people are exposed to radio frequencies including millimetre waves in everyday life, a very small amount that is virtually undetectable is absorbed in the body.  Radio frequencies in the current mobile, TV and radio broadcast bands are absorbed into the body at extremely low levels.  Millimetre waves are also absorbed at extremely low levels into the body but only into the upper layers of the skin due to the very short wavelength and typically up to depth of 1-10mm.

10. If millimetre waves are absorbed in the skin, how can it be safe?

The EME exposure guidelines cover all frequencies including millimetre waves.  The exposure guidelines are set to ensure that absorption of the radio frequency signals in the body and skin is well below the safety threshold.

Radio frequency signals in the environment are part of everyday life.  In terms of millimetre waves, the amount of radio frequency signal actually absorbed in the skin from devices, base stations or other radio services is very low, significantly below the threshold that could be detected and well below the safety limits.

11. Is Telstra building new base stations for 5G?

Telstra is upgrading existing facilities for the initial deployment of 5G.  Telstra will continue to upgrade existing facilities and build new base stations as part of the 5G rollout.

12. How many 5G base stations is Telstra proposing?

As of June 2021, our 5G network now reaches 75 per cent of Australia’s population. Learn more about Telstra’s 5G

13. How will I know when 5G is proposed for my area?

Telstra will be undertaking a range of advertising and community notification activities for the deployment of 5G.   For all new base station deployments and existing site upgrades, Telstra follows the community consultation and notification requirements of Industry Code C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code.

Find more on new and existing mobile base stations on the Radio Frequency National Site Archive.

14. Will Telstra be using small cells for 5G?

Yes, Telstra will be using a range of different base stations for 5G including small cells.

15. Will small cells be built on every street for 5G?

No, Telstra does not plan or need to build small cells on every street for 5G. Telstra is upgrading its existing network to provide 5G coverage and is using small cells where required.

Small cells are typically used to provide localised coverage in small geographic areas where there are coverage limitations due to terrain, buildings or other obstructions, or to provide additional capacity where there is a significant number of people using mobile and data services in the local area.  Small cells are not new and have been used for many years to provide mobile services.

16. Do small cells have high EME?

No, small cells operate at low power and have low EME levels.

The ACMA recently measured electromagnetic energy at 59 small cell sites across Australia.  In all cases, the measured EME levels were less than 1% of the Australian Standard exposure limit for the general public. You can read ACMA's report here.

17. What EME does 5G add?

Telstra has conducted extensive EME testing and analysis on the 5G network.  The EME levels measured were found to be similar to 3G, 4G and Wi-Fi, well below the safety limits, and in many cases over a thousand times lower.

View information about Telstra’s testing.

18. What testing has Telstra done on 5G to ensure it's safe?

Telstra has a dedicated team with responsibility for managing EME compliance and we ensure that all Telstra base stations and devices are designed to meet Australian EME safety standards.

Telstra uses EME specialists that are independently accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) for EME compliance assessments.

Telstra has conducted extensive EME testing and analysis on the 5G network.  The EME levels measured were found to be similar to 3G, 4G and Wi-Fi well below the safety limits, and in many cases over a thousand times lower.

View information about Telstra’s testing.

19. How can the public find out what EME is coming from nearby base stations?

Telstra has a dedicated team with responsibility for managing EME compliance and we ensure that all Telstra base stations and devices are designed to meet Australian EME safety standards.

Telstra uses EME specialists that are independently accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) for EME compliance assessments.

Telstra has conducted extensive EME testing and analysis on the 5G network.  The EME levels measured were found to be similar to 3G, 4G and Wi-Fi, well below the safety limits, and in many cases over a thousand times lower.

Information on EME levels can be found on the Radio Frequency National Site Archive

20. Is Telstra using beam forming antennas for 5G?

Yes, beam forming antennas are part of the new 5G technology standards and deliver great network efficiencies.  Telstra is deploying beam forming antennas as part of the new 5G service.   Beam forming antennas for 5G enable the mobile signal to be sent directly to devices in a narrow beam rather than to the broader area where the device is located.

21. What happens to 4G when 5G is activated?

5G is designed to work in conjunction with 4G.  When we activate a 5G base station we also boost the 4G capability at that same location which means our existing 4G customers get an immediate benefit.

22. Is Telstra proposing to turn off 3G?

Yes, as the 4G and 5G services evolve, Telstra will turn off 3G. This is currently scheduled to occur in 2024.  The frequencies used for 3G will be reused for newer mobile technologies that provide greater efficiency.

23. Do base stations in residential areas impact property prices?

To work effectively, base stations need to be located near the people wishing to access this technology.  Property valuation is a complex issue, with fluctuations in price being subject to a number of factors. Many of these are subjective, and may be as diverse as aspect, views, condition of the property, local amenity and access to services, including high quality communications.  Since the mid-1990s, thousands of telecommunication facilities have been installed throughout Australian metropolitan and regional areas. During this period, property values have continued to increase, showing no clear signs of deterioration as a result of the location of communications facilities.

Telstra is not aware of any credible evidence that directly links the siting of telecommunications facility to a decrease in property prices.

24. Is '5G' displayed on Wi-Fi modems and routers the same as the new 5G mobile technology?

No. '5G' displayed on Wi-Fi modems and routers refers to one of the frequency bands used for Wi-Fi of 5GHz. The other Wi-Fi frequency band is 2.4GHz and sometimes displays as 2G on a modem or router.

The 5G mobile technology to be introduced in 2019 is completely new and is the next evolution from 4G and 3G.  It's completely understandable that people may be confused by the similar abbreviations and terms, so we hope this helps to clarify the meaning.

mobile phone wifi settings screenshot

1 . Does 5G damage DNA?

No – use of 5G within existing safety standards is safe.  5G uses radio frequency waves that are in the non-ionizing part of the electromagnetic spectrum and therefore don’t have the energy to break molecular bonds which can damage DNA.

ARPANSA provides information on ionizing and non-ionizing radiation on their web site and Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, a well-known scientist explains this in an ABC science podcast:

'… some electromagnetic radiation is able to damage atoms. To be more specific, the damage is that the atom gets some of its electrons knocked off. An atom that has lost electrons like that is called an "ion", so this radiation is called "ionising radiation'

In terms of non-ionizing radiation Dr Karl explains in the ABC Great Moments in Science article that 'the energy from visible light, AM and FM radio, TV, microwaves, mobile phones and power lines is just too low to damage atoms'.

2. Does 5G impact flora and fauna?

The same exposure limits for 5G (and other electromagnetic energy) that protect people also protect other living things.  At the recent 5G inquiry ARPANSA provided the following advice to the Federal Government.

'A common theme ARPANSA has observed in arguments by anti-5G groups is the impact this network would have on flora and fauna. As an example, a common argument is that bee populations are being impacted by exposure to current mobile networks and this will be made worse under 5G.

The majority of studies investigating the effects of radio waves or electromagnetic fields in general are usually performed on standard laboratory animals used in toxicological studies, such as rats and mice. However, some studies have also included other species such as short-living flies for the investigation of genotoxic effects. There is limited research on the effects of electromagnetic fields on the diversity or abundance of insects or bees. The few ecological studies that do exist generally report little or no evidence of a significant environmental impact. The studies that do show an effect, such as the ones listed, suffer from poor scientific method and the reported effect of electromagnetic field exposure cannot be separated from other environmental factors.'

Reference: ARPANSA: Submission to inquiry into 5G in Australia

3. Did 5G cause birds to die in Europe?

No. Social media posts in Europe falsely linked the deaths of hundreds of birds to the testing of 5G in the Netherlands. The Netherlands Government agency Antenna Bureau has stated this is not the case as there was no 5G testing where the birds died. Additional information is available from the independent UK fact checking charity Fullfact.

4. Does 5G affect the immune system?

No – ARPANSA advises that 5G and other telecommunication radio frequencies, when used within safety limits, do not affect the immune system.

ARPANSA says 'The immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, organs, and the substances they make that helps the human body fight infectious disease caused by invading microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria. 

A number of studies have investigated whether exposure to radio waves can affect the immune system. Some studies have shown that exposure to high power radio waves, much greater than the limits of the ARPANSA safety standard, increases the core body temperature, which can cause temporary effects on the immune system. 

Studies have also investigated whether low level radio wave exposure from telecommunications sources like 5G can impact the immune system. Such studies, including those that have investigated effects on antigens, antibodies and oxidative stress, have not provided evidence of changes in immune function.

There is no established evidence that low level radio wave exposure from 5G and other wireless telecommunications can affect the immune system or cause any other long term or short term health effects.'

Reference: ARPANSA website: 5G and other telecommunications do not affect the immune system

5. Does 5G cause Coronavirus?

No. The World Health Organization advises that 

'Viruses cannot travel on radio waves/mobile networks. COVID-19 is spreading in many countries that do not have 5G mobile networks.

COVID-19 is spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks. People can also be infected by touching a contaminated surface and then their eyes, mouth or nose.'

Reference: WHO website: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public: Mythbusters

Further information is available at 5G health concerns and covid-19 the facts

6. Is more research needed before 5G can be used safely? 

No.  The radio frequencies that 5G uses are not new and have been used for radio communications for decades. 

Research on the possible human health effects of exposure to radio frequencies used for 5G including the millimetre wave frequencies goes back many decades and is continuing.   In terms of research specifically on millimetre wave frequencies, the WHO and EMF Portal database lists approximately 350 studies on mm-wave EMF health related research.

In March 2020 the International Commission for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) published the revised human exposure guidelines that includes the 5G frequencies.  ICNIRP Chairman, Dr Eric van Rongen, said "We know parts of the community are concerned about the safety of 5G and we hope the updated guidelines will help put people at ease," he said. "The guidelines have been developed after a thorough review of all relevant scientific literature, scientific workshops and an extensive public consultation process. They provide protection against all scientifically substantiated adverse health effects due to EMF exposure in the 100 kHz to 300 GHz range."

Reference: ICNIRP Media Release 110320

7. Can devices like 'Anti 5G' USB sticks ‘protect’ people from 5G?

No.  Unfortunately, from time to time, products are marketed or sold claiming to 'protect' people from radio frequency fields and mobile technology.  These products are scams and we recommend you check any claims with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

8. Does 5G in Australia interfere with weather forecasting satellites?

No. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) regulates the radio frequency spectrum to ensure that no mobile services, including 5G, will cause interference to weather forecasting.

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) while identifying the frequency bands 24.25-27.5 GHz, 37-43.5 GHz, 45.5-47 GHz, 47.2-48.2 and 66-71 GHz for the deployment of 5G networks at the World Radio Conference in 2019 also took measures to ensure an appropriate protection of the Earth Exploration Satellite Services, including meteorological and other passive services in adjacent bands. With the ACMA's separation between weather forecasting spectrum and potential 5G spectrum, as well as reasonable power limits supported by the mobile industry, 5G presents no risk to weather forecasting in Australia.

More comprehensive information about 5G and EME is available from the following resources: