5G intrigues, divides and sometimes frightens. Yet it is far from being the threat it is perceived to be. Ecological, secure and future-oriented, this network could well become the ally we never thought it would be.
It's simple: 5G is the turbo version of mobile networks. While 4G turned our habits upside down with a faster connection, 5G is coming with ultra-fast speeds and the ability to connect even more devices at once. So yes, it promises a technological leap forward, but it also comes with its share of misconceptions. To help you separate the true from the untrue, Sven Adams and Romain Bertrand, spokespeople for Orange, and Haroun Fenaux from Proximus, explain why you shouldn't believe everything you read on the internet.
5G: a technological leap
5G is no more and no less than the new (and fifth) generation of mobile networks. Those before it made the rise of smartphones possible, but 5G promises to go much further. Up to 10 times faster than 4G, and with latency (the time between sending and receiving data, ed) reduced to almost nothing, it makes connections almost instantaneous. In other words, 5G paves the way for digital experiences such as smoother virtual reality, uninterrupted ultra-high-definition video, and even the ability to control machines remotely or connect even more devices to the internet.
Proximus spokesperson Haroun Fenaux sums it up: ‘Compared with previous generations of mobile technology, 5G is faster, more reliable and uses less energy.’ But why all the distrust?
No, 5G won't harm you
The rumours are rife: ‘5G will make us sick’ or ‘it will increase the number of cancers’. But the reality is far less alarming. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 5G, like 4G before it, presents no proven danger to health. ‘Many people have expressed concern about electromagnetic radiation or radio waves, but in Belgium we can rest assured,’ says Sven Adams. In Belgium, safety standards are strictly regulated ‘up to 40 times stricter than European standards’, the Orange spokesperson adds.
5G, which is far from harming us, is even helping us make a quantum leap in terms of health, with applications in telemedicine and solutions for hospitals. ‘The only effect is the heat emitted by the phone, but precautions have been taken to prevent it from overheating,’ Haroun Fenaux adds.
Greener and safer than expected
Contrary to popular belief, 5G does not consume more energy than 4G, but does it better. Although faster, it uses less energy for the same amount of data, thanks to more efficient flow management. According to Orange, it reduces energy consumption by up to 9% for the same volume of data as 4G.
Sven Adams compares the process to a spider's web: ‘When I request a data transfer, I make a connection with this web and the data is sent to my smartphone. Whereas with 5G, it's more direct.’ Among other things, it's faster and consumes less energy.
And no, the fifth generation does not compromise data security. For Haroun Fenaux, 5G is like a motorway where the cars are the data. The security protocols remain the same as for 4G, but they are faster and more efficient. Orange also insists that privacy will be better protected with 5G, thanks to improved security protocols.
Future-proof for businesses
5G is also an advantage for businesses. It allows sectors that are not very environmentally friendly to use less energy. ‘It's a real game changer for the economic environment, because it allows other companies to make their business model greener,’ Sven Adams of Proximus points out.
The two telecoms operators agree that 5G is also playing a part in the digital transformation of businesses. ‘If a business wants to be future-proof, 5G will be the key element, in terms of speed, capacity and even reliability,’ says one of the spokespeople.
And then... there's 6G.
6G? Not just yet, but it's on its way. Expected in 2030, it promises even greater speed, lower energy consumption, and breakthroughs in areas such as artificial intelligence and brain-machine interfaces. In the meantime, research is already under way for this next generation, which will push back the limits of mobile (hyper)connectivity.
Proximus: the end of 3G
At the start of 2025, Proximus will put an end to 3G technology in Belgium. Although this may seem like a major change, the impact will be limited, as 3G has already been largely replaced. For data transmission, 4G is now taking over, while 5G covers users with compatible phones. As for 2G, it should remain in service until 2029.
‘Companies have been contacted individually, either by e-mail or by telephone, to inform them that 3G will be discontinued from the beginning of 2025,’ says Haroun Fenaux, spokesperson for Proximus.
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