How to approach 5G policies Despite such unknowns, it is fair to say that beamforming is able to transmit data while generating much lower overall levels of radio pollution compered to the previous technologies, hence reducing certain types of risks, because it directs the radio signal in a narrow space just towards the active devices. Moreover, MIMO and beamforming have already been selectively used in 4G, bringing material performance enhancements. Finally, the amount of radiation falls rapidly with distance from the antennas. Based on the so called ‘inverse square law’, physics suggests that the radio intensity is inversely proportional to the square of such distance. However, risks are not unusual for any major innovations. What is different for 5G, is that its direct benefits for consumers, employees, small and medium sized businesses are yet to be well understood by the general public. This compounds with the population already being very concerned about health due to covid 19. Unfortunately, this is helping those, who intend to spread potentially misleading information with the intention to slow down the 5G rollout. Looking at the past cycles, the main beneficiaries from fast advancement of wireless technologies were the global tech companies, the losers would have been mainly legacy industries disrupted by digitalisation. With 5G, we also expect fast rollouts to boost competitiveness of nations. In science, the health debate is focused on the overall impact of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the mobile networks, not only 5G, on humans and the ecosystems. The current mainstream scientific view is that such radiation, also called non-ionising radiation, has proven to have only thermal effects, i.e. it warms living tissues. Radiation safety limits are set in a way seen as safe from this point of view, also see: Statement on RF EMFS (Mobile Radiation) by International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNRIP) There have been attempts by parts of the scientific community to challenge this mainstream view and claim that non-ionising radiation from mobile networks interferes with living tissues in other than thermal ways as well, potentially causing harm. Examples of initiatives pursuing such views, and demanding more research or other action in these areas, include: International EMF Scientist Appeal - group of scientists calling on the United Nations to tighten the radiation health limits 5G Appeal - a group of scientists calling on the EU to suspend 5G rollouts until there is more evidence about health effects 5G Crisis Summit – initiative involving scientists wishing to debate 5G health risks and potential solutions “Parts of the scientific community are challenging the mainstream view that non-ionising radiation has no proven health effects other than thermal ones.” We recommend policymakers the following: 1. To demonstrate to the public that they have a grasp on the underlying issues around security, freedom and health and they are ready to defend the public interests amid various pressures from different sides, global as well as local. 2. To carefully assess security risks linked to any tech or other companies involved in building and provision of critical infrastructure and services, and if necessary, adopt appropriate regulations. 3. To encourage a cultivated public debate about benefits and risks of technologies. When relevant, promote public appetite to adopt technologies and help to fairly understand the risks, also by debunking misinformation and explaining the rational basis for the used security and health regulations. 4. To continue supporting truly independent scientific studies in areas of the main risks, both security and health, and on relevant issues of public interest. 5. 6. 7. To strictly enforce the law, both in protecting the existing infrastructures, as well as building new ones. When technologies lead to excessive market power, and subsequent risk to freedoms, competition, security or democratic rights, policymakers should adopt credible plans to address this via boosting competition or stricter regulations. To reassess the telecommunications infrastructure model so that it does not encourage building excessive numbers of antennas due to economically and technologically unnecessary duplication of wireless networks. “ We recommend policymakers to assure the public that they have a grasp on protecting freedom, health and security while remaining committed to progress “ 5G as an opportunity to reform 45