Like rest of the developing world, Papua New Guinea (PNG) has sheer interests in modern technologies to align with its development goals. A country rooted with traditions, muddled with cultural diversity, and not so well versed in terms of knowledge economy, but arguably, has some classic tech-savvy citizens in the region who can rationalize new technologies with mordantly cogent arguments. Thanks to the power of social media, Facebook in particular for information enrichment and aiding citizen journalism. No venture by the government or businesses in the interest of citizens has gone unheeded.
On the 19th of December 2019, PNG Telco company BMobile and Chinese telecommunication giant Huawei Technologies signed MoU to trial 5G in the year 2020. The news of 5G trial in the country fueled rants on social media and resulting in abrupt development of undue resentment in the community. As happened in other countries, the signing news attracted different reactions from local technical communities and internet users on social media, largely at the detriment of potential investors. While PNG national government declares its support for the application and proliferation of positive technology in the country, many argued the entrance of 5G in the country as too early.
Figure 1. 3G Mobile Network Tower at Mutzing Station, Markham District, Morobe Province, PNG. Photo by Author
The 5th Generation cellular network or 5G technology is currently trending many different stories (mostly opinions from opinion) on global scale. The move from 4G to 5G is actually less like an upgrade, and more like a full-scale transformation – where inter-connectivity of man and devices at remarkable speed; revolutionizes the approach of connected digital world. A mobile technology featured with promising high speeds, lower latency, stable wireless platform for mobility, virtual real-time as well as the activation of the Internet of Things (IoT) though; it is still hugely controversial.
While the flair and urge for 5G are mainly promoted by big Telcos and research communities, with its physical characteristics described to safe boundaries by scientific bodies; citizen groups and some scientists still argue that radio frequency (RF) energy exposure - particularly the high frequency part of the spectrum used by 5G – is dangerous to people and the environment. Millions of articles are available online about the benefits of 5G, however, concisely, ants in pants about the health implications of 5G are gaining traction. A cellular technological masterpiece, poised by engineering to be the next ‘big thing’ is already enduring a stiff and divided route towards global market and popularity. The unavailability or lack of proven data to substantiate the ‘claim’ that total Radiated Power Density (RPD) from 5G cellular base stations in a fully-deployed metropolitan 5G network, as safety compliant; further compounds the fear of 5G.
As a country, PNG is not 5G-ready. Technically in terms of standards and infrastructure, as well as policy and regulatory mechanisms for that matter. Moreover, the concerns of 5G risks propagated from inconclusive reports and researches globally is already a dent in the investment outlooks for potential 5G providers. The size and nature of the concerns vary from country to country and determined by various dynamics inherent to the country and its people – one example of such dynamics is the lack of technical knowledge on the technology and its potential benefits in many developing countries.
Nicola Brittain updated on 5Gradar around the growing concerns of 5G health risks…. “Global concerns around 5G fall into two categories: first, that millimetre waves (MMW) used by 5G and transmitted via the 30-300 GHz part of the spectrum, are more likely to cause cellular damage than lower frequency waves. Second, these short waves do not travel far meaning more small cell transmitters are required to provide full coverage - the number of transmitters needed is worrying some groups. “.
While the above concerns are results of design and application, together with spectrum nature, the cause for concern in PNG is more practical and unbounded - the reality that divulge the vagueness of ICT Policy Implementation; which still appears to be in its infancy. From a technical standpoint, there are many but two obvious 5G concerns that that I can think of may apply to PNG:
1. Security – the enabled services by 5G connectivity will strut considerable security risks - increased hackable nodes. Recent security audit found flaws in 3G and 4G networks which can be exploited. Note that security threats associated with 3G and 4G will continue to remain long after 5G rollout for some time. That questions how secure are the mobile networks operating in PNG is. Recent nationwide outages of Digicel data networks – are they really hardware (technical) failures?
2. Fake electronics - The US FCC, responsible for licensing the spectrum for public use, says that 5G equipment, the signals from commercial wireless transmitters are typically far RF exposure limits at any location that is accessible to the public. Nevertheless, how about off-the-shelf cellular signal boosters for home and office use? In Asian dominated electronics retail market in PNG, how do we know a piece of 5G communication equipment or gadget is FCC standard compliant? Counterfeit and fake products are both equally Health & Security risks.
While work is underway on Cyber law in the country, NISIT and NICTA together with ICCC have an important role to play in regulating the laws governing the imports and sale of electronic goods into the country.
Developed and substantially industrialized countries take analytical approach to seize the opportunities created by technology advancements – plans mapped out with stringent policies and regulatory standards driven by national and municipal governments with less influence from external business interests. For developing economies and regions, technology embracement happens to be quite a leap with ripple effects on rising economic and social issues – and 5G would be no different. The hype that is created by imported technology among average citizens in developing countries, is played by industry giants in their favor to maximize their economic opportunities, with underrated cause for concern for the hosts and its citizens.
PNG government is planning for downstream processing of its natural resources; which could see a birth of local industrial revolution. In modern manufacturing and processing plants, smart instruments and high speed industrial communication networks and devices support real time data exchange. Metal refinery, oil & gas as well as manufacturing industries are slowly implementing IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) in plant automation, equipment reliability and data processing. For example, the speed of 5G brings mobile broadband business case a new edge over fixed connections, enabling new services which have often been hampered by connectivity.
Therefore, for PNG to tap into the opportunities brought by 5G network to supports industries, it has to come from the government through Ministry of Information & Communication, and pinned under ICT Development roadmap to trial 5G in the country. The government does not have to be mesmerized by a dominant North partnered with a local company who has yet to roll out a fully reliable 4G network.
Figure 2. Industrial Automation - Siemens Programmable Logic Controller hardware at one of the mines in PNG. Photo by Author
PNG Communication and Information Technology Minister Hon. Timothy Masiu has stopped BMobile and Huawei from progressing any further with their trial and call for comprehensive research instead – a fair call by the minister. Besides research, more user awareness (preferably lead by health professionals) is required prior to the trial, as the conspiracy of 5G health risks is outweighing the impending benefits of 5G.
5G spectrum is non-ionizing, but the proximity of 5G cells especially in towns and cities is the calling, as the combined radiated power density from the cells at a resident distance may increase exposure level. While traditional antenna theories reign, new concepts of ‘smart’ antennas may lower the radiation energy.
In a country as PNG where some scientific theories are deemed largely as unpopular myths and technology breakthroughs sensationally continues to be an amazing thrills; radiation physics needs to be explained by health professionals thru psychological evaluation for people who are stirred by these allegations. The world has to move forward and 5G is future.
Stanley Osao is a Communication Engineer by profession, Internet Governance Activist, Founder of Internet PNG Clique. Involves extensively in regional & international Internet ecosystem and multistakeholder organizations. His professional area of interests include industrial communication, Internet of Things, IPv6 & Cybersecurity.
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