All you need to know to understand 5G

The two open letters by scientists are here:

The meta-review shown at 14 mins 39 secs is this one:

The article I quote at about 15 mins is this:

The WHO site I refer to at 15 mins 37 secs is here:

You can join the chat about this video on Saturday (Dec 19) at noon Eastern Time/6pm CET here:

0:00 Intro
0:41 What is 5G?
3:44 What is electromagnetic radiation
6:28 What damage can electromagnetic radiation do?
9:20 Frequency vs Power
12:01 Back to 5G: What's the problem?
14:05 What is known about mm waves?
16:28 Sponsor Message

#science #technology #education

[erichodge]

Man, there must be some kind of award we can all insist be given to Sabine. She is doing precisely what is needed to enable the public to make informed decisions in a democracy. Thank you so much, Sabine.

[zhaziralala]

Explaining difficult concepts in such a clear and concise manner is a skill and a talent. I watch a ton of scientific channels, only a few that manage to make it stick like this one. Massive respect and thanks!

[rickkearn]

Phenomenal presentation, per usual, from Sabine. In less than 20 minutes I was more educated about 5G than if I'd spent two months of my life perusing network news websites.

[traiecto]

I am 2 years late to the conversation but whoa! This is the best, simplest explanation to a very complex issue. Can’t thank you enough!

[SvenSchumacher]

Since the new frequencies are not ionizing and cannot penetrate deeply (a few mm at most) into the body, one must presumably concentrate on thermal effects. Far higher frequencies like infrared and light reach our skin in powers of 1-2kW/m², at noon in summer or close to a big campfire. This is what we perceive as "nice and warm". There is no way the small 5G radio cells will even come close to such energy densities.

So I tend not to see any danger in it.

However, I agree that this should be covered as soon as possible and comprehensively in studies to make absolutely sure that nothing is overlooked and to bring this discussion back to a factual level.

Thank you Ms. Hossenfelder, for your really well done videos. This is really a helpful contribution to the topic!

[markdavis]

I’m a lifetime cellular engineer. Your explanation is wonderful, but a couple comments:

1. This biggest issue here is that high bands don’t propagate well, and therefore must use a highly directive antenna. And since the wavelength is small, it is possible to make a highly directive antenna in a reasonable size. Since is both feasible and necessary, all deployments use beamforming antennas. So even at moderate total transmit power, the power in one direction can be extremely high. To me, that is the overwhelming key point that is different from low bands (where such highly directive antenna is neither needed nor feasible). 5G antennas I worked with had max EIRP around +65dbm, which is approaching 4000watts (higher than a microwave oven). The total power is much lower, but EIRP is the “effective” power including the directional focus. And if you are standing in the beam, the fact that the power outside the beam is much lower is irrelevant.

2. I don’t think it is a fair characterization to say that people “missed the point” that these new bands presented new risks. Perhaps a few people missed that point, but certainly none of us in the industry did. This was one of the first topics to receive attention and discussion. I am not arguing that letting industry stakeholders make such a call is appropriate; I’m just saying we were well aware that it was a (new) issue. See for example to the work of Ted Rappaport (long time expert in cellular channel characterization).

3. I always thought it was funny that these bands are called “millimeter wave.” 30GHz is a centimeter. That is marketing, I guess -- millimeter sounds cooler than centimeter.

[bowu]

Seriously, Sabine has to be one of the few who can explain ideas with such impressive logic and clarity.

[marshalmcdonald]

Sabine is one of the most interesting people on youtube. Clear, concise, funny, insightful, optimistic, warm, intelligent....and so on. Grateful for her.

[jimjohnson]

Taking risk is one thing. Having risk forced upon you is another.

[torifmdox]

A clear voice, unbiased and excellent description of what should be of concern. I am now a subscriber. (Engineer and ex radio operator)

[ProjectPhysX]

You should compare the power recieved from 5G to other heat / (non-ionizing) radiation sources. 5G tissue heating is negligible compared to standing under the sun or the isolating effect of wearing warm clothing, or even compared to the heat generated by the body itself.

[docmach]

What would be the effect of the magnetic waves on graphene oxides?

[davidgray]

I look at more than a dozen videos every day on a huge number of things, space, history, mechanics, architecture, on and on. This is one of the very best ones I have ever seen for being informative, relevant, timely, and easy to understand (though I admit to being an engineer). Thanks Dr. Hossenfelder

[hiankun]

Off topic: This is one of the few channels which can persuade me to watch the sponsor ad part without any impatience.

[deanevans]

'Knowledge' is so beautiful to me when explained rationally and understood without bias. Thank you Sabine from this new subscriber.

[MrProsailor]

Very well presented research. My major concern with 5G is actually the amount of 5G devices that'll be in use 24/7 like antennas, surveillance equipment, mobile devices etc etc. The exposure to individuals over a period of time, once all the various devices have been implemented, is, in my opinion a very serious health issue. Everything about existence is vibrations. Exposure to a different vibration over time is for better or worse life changing.

[tomthumb]

I wish I had you as a professor when I was in college. Thank you for your devotion ro science and people

[jrluckett]

Sabine is always highly informative and down to earth. Thank you! Always a joy to watch and learn!!

[Duh]

Now, that is a great, clear, factual, and rational way of talking about a muddled controversial subject, thank you! Loved it, subbed.

[mohawk]

Sabine - Thank you for a very lucid presentation. One answer is to keep as much distance between you and the emitter of 5G radiation. In other words do not keep your ear touching your 5G mobiles for long periods of time. Use wireless pods instead if you use your mobile for very long periods of time.