5G has been available for a few days in some major French cities. The first compatible phones are starting to be available and the packages to be offered by operators. However, several villages in rural areas will lose their internet connection following the deployment of this new technology.
A major problem
Fifth generation of mobile networks, 5G carries with it many promises: it would allow the sending of a much larger quantity of data than the previous generation (4G), and avoid network congestion, due to the increase in world population. However, 5G is controversial. Indeed, many political parties and numerous associations denounce the fact that it could have serious consequences at the health and ecological level. While the issue of 5G continues to be raised in the public debate at regular intervals, France Info’s revelations could provide food for thought to those most resistant to this new generation of mobile networks.
According to Franceinfo, it is no less than 4,000 households that could end up without internet because of 5G. Quite simply, because the technology used requires the use of the frequency of the radio system which was itself already used to provide internet to certain residents (such as the WiMax network). Philippe Legrand, operator in the field, declares:
It is estimated that 5 to 10% of households that were connected by radio until now will find themselves disconnected and not eligible for the new frequency on the new technology, to allow the release of these frequencies for 5G.
But why will these inhabitants no longer have access to the Internet? Quite simply because their current network, Wimax, has better range than 5G and uses the same frequencies. Since the frequencies of Wimax have been sold for 5G networks, they will therefore no longer work for residents where 5G does not arrive (the range of 5G is shorter than that of Wimax).
Either, according to him, close to 4,000 households in around 40 departments will see their internet connection become unusable. Several residents have received a letter telling them that they will no longer have internet at the end of the month. The problem is that no fallback solution seems to be offered to them. So much so that an inhabitant of the Creuse declared at the microphone of France Bleu that he felt abandoned. Especially since the internet cut is bad, given the fact that teleworking has become more democratic, because of the health crisis.
Elected officials and unions still seem to be looking for alternative solutions such as the provision of 4G boxes or the installation of a satellite antenna in households. However, the second solution seems quite expensive, households will have to invest 400 euros for this type of installation at home. We hope, however, that a solution will be quickly found to help households affected by the cut.
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