The Fifth Generation of Mobile Technology is a super communication network, enabling faster internet speed and coverage. The 5G Technology is a significant and innovative step toward bringing out the full potential of the Internet of Things (IoT). The 5G Technology is capable of handling more devices and can support cutting-edge A.I. technology, Virtual Reality, etc. Another benefit of using the 5G technology is that it is energy-efficient, thereby using less battery and power from devices. The advantages of using 5G technology are obvious; however, it comes with many disadvantages. There have been increased concerns about health hazards and security regarding the 5G technology. Here are some of the significant disadvantages of using 5G technology:

Health Concerns:

Many studies have been conducted on the health effects of 5G on humans. However, the results have been inconsistent so far, and there is no evidence of major health hazards. It is to be noted that the radiation caused by phones, Wi-Fi, etc., has been proven to cause tissue heating in humans. However, the amount of tissue heating in humans due to these devices is significantly minimal to cause any health issues or concerns.

Interference:

One of the major disadvantages of 5G is that they can only travel short distances. If physical obstructions such as trees, towers, or buildings are present on route, 5G frequency can be interrupted. This can slow the devices indoors, where the 5G signals may struggle to penetrate the walls. Telecom companies are extending the existing cell towers to increase the strength and broadcasting distance of the 5G signals. 5G Technology can also threaten aircraft safety due to the close frequency range in which they operate. You must have also noticed the recent news in which 5G technology has caused flight cancellations due to its interference with the onboard instruments.

Security Concerns:

One of the biggest concerns regarding 5G technology is Cybersecurity and the risk of hacking. 5G Technology has more routing points than the older technologies, making it difficult to do security check-ups and maintenance. The added speed and number of routing points will challenge the security systems. Another issue that adds to this concern is that many devices are manufactured without keeping security a priority. Connecting more of these devices to the grid adds to possible breach points, thus increasing the cyber threat.

High Initial Costs:

The road toward the development and implementation of 5G infrastructure is expensive. Much of the existing 5G technology is built on 4G infrastructure and network. However, it is to be noted that the 4G network upgrades can no longer support the increased traffic of 5G. Soon, the network operators will have to increase the infrastructure to cope with the growing traffic. There is the added burden of constant and continued maintenance costs to ensure high-speed connectivity.