The ongoing coronavirus epidemic has not only wreaked havoc in many countries but also brought to the fore unprecedented technological evolutions, one of which is the fifth generation network known as the 5G connection which has sparked controversies among different schools of thought. While some argue that the installation of the 5G network in certain countries led to an increase in coronavirus deaths, the World Health Organisation maintains that the 5G is in no way linked to the Coronavirus deaths. The 5G network is undoubtedly more efficient and effective than previous networks yet many still raise some health concerns if and when it is globally accepted. 
5G is the next generation of mobile broadband that will eventually replace, or at least augment, 4G LTE connection. It is advantageous in that it possesses greater speed in connectivity than the 3G and 4G networks. Beyond that, it will enable artificial intelligence and the internet of things. If implemented, there will be driverless cars, surgeons will be able to apply the use of robots to perform surgeries on patients across long distances and learning will become easier as students will be able to attend online classes from different parts of the world.
However, the 5G network is not without its drawbacks. Apart from high cost of installation, security and privacy challenges with the innovation, the potential health risks it portends are of greater concern. More than 180 scientists and doctors from 36 countries have warned the European Union about the danger of 5G, which could lead to a massive increase in involuntary exposure of humans to electromagnetic radiation and have called for an independent task force to reassess the health effects.
“We, the undersigned scientists, recommend a moratorium on the roll-out of the fifth generation, 5G, for telecommunication until potential hazards for human health and the environment have been fully investigated by scientists independent from industry. 5G will substantially increase exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) on top of the 2G, 3G, 4G, Wi-Fi, etc. for telecommunications already in place. RF-EMF has been proven to be harmful for humans and the environment.”
As a result of the potential hazards of the 5G network, countries like Slovenia, Netherlands, Rome, England have slowed down the introduction of the technology in their countries to allow for further investigation into the inherent risks attached to it.
In its report ‘The state of 5G deployment,’ a network testing provider, VIAVI stated that the 5G was deployed across 34 countries as at January 2020. The top ten countries with the highest number of connections are South Korea, China, United States of America, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Spain, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Australia, Germany and Romania.
There are also indications that the technology may be embraced in Nigeria as Minister of Communications, Dr Isa Pantami at the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition in Dubai, said that Nigeria was ready to deploy 5G network across the country to ease network flow.
Hopefully, this vision will be actualised after it has been proven without doubt that the network poses no threat to human health.
