5G and EME

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

Read our blog and testing report

Our 5G technology produces electromagnetic energy (EME) levels at around 1000 times below the safety limits in many cases.

All our testing has found 5G EME levels to be similar to 4G and Wi-Fi.

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)

Worlds Best Smart Apartment tests 5G and Wi-Fi with up to 100 devices at once

In 2022 Telstra's graduates built a 5G smart apartment at Docklands in Melbourne and connected over 100 devices to test the experience and EME levels for a variety of use cases.

Even under peak loads by our team of savvy graduates, the EME levels from 5G and Wi-Fi were less than 1% of the public safety limits.

View all the results

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.

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

• View the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) information on 5G. 
  
• Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.

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'.

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

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.

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

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

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

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).

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.