New Yorkers for 5G was formed to educate residents, businesses, and decision makers about the efforts underway to deliver fast online access to residents in every corner of the state, as well as the importance of increasing next-generation connectivity and advocating for policies that will bring 5G service to every New Yorker. Coalition members are united in the belief that a robust and high-speed wireless network is paramount to helping New York’s economy recover while supporting and improving health, education, public safety, and so much more.
5G is the next generation of wireless connectivity, made possible through a combination of technologies that require infrastructure investment across the state. While 5G is currently available in some areas of the state, others – particularly rural and low-income communities -- still lack basic broadband and cellular service. As we work to address these immediate concerns, we must not lose sight of the future and the need to prepare for next-generation technology. These critical investments will help provide faster connectivity for our digital and mobile devices, which are being used with increased frequency.
Overall, 5G delivers service that is at least 20 times faster with the ability to connect 100 times the number of devices compared to the current 4G standard. Connecting more devices at higher speeds has become even more important amid the Covid-19 crisis, which has further increased our reliance on wireless technology to stay engaged with our friends, learn, work and access vital services.
By significantly increasing the speed of digital video and data transmission services, 5G makes it easier for patients to connect with doctors and other healthcare professionals.
5G-driven telehealth networks will play a crucial role in delivering healthcare services to underserved communities – and they have become even more important as the Covid-19 pandemic requires us to find new ways to receive medical care and advice while maintaining social distancing whenever possible.
5G will revolutionize education for students, teachers and parents alike by dramatically improving communication, reducing download times and facilitating the use of new, state-of the-art technologies in all kinds of digital classrooms.
As Covid-19 has forced K-12 school systems, colleges and universities across the state to transition to remote learning models, it has unfortunately put a new spotlight on a digital divide that slows down students who lack access to high-speed connectivity. New Yorkers agree that low-income or minority students should not be left behind because all students deserve equal access to digital and remote learning tools.
Now is the time to use the power of 5G to keep all students and their families connected to the digital resources they needed.
80 percent of 9-1-1 calls today are placed from a wireless device, making cellular service more important than ever before. 5G will deliver better digital access to emergency services provided by police officers, firefighters, and first responders and improve outcomes across New York.
The faster systems provided by 5G enable first responders to access enhanced location data for 9-1-1 calls, send video or pictures to their command centers in real time via wireless devices, which can help save lives. They also help first responders to navigate more quickly onsite with wireless access to building drawings or other critical information within seconds of a request.
New Yorkers care about arming first responders with more of the high-tech tools they need to keep us safe – and implementing 5G connectivity will make that possible.
Up to half of Americans were working from home as a result of the near-national lockdown put in place in an effort to reduce transmission of the novel coronavirus. That’s more than double the number who telecommuted – at least occasionally – in 2017-18. Experts are predicting that the percentage of those working from home will be higher even after stay-at- home orders are loosened or lifted.
Roughly three-quarters of American adults have broadband access at home, but access is significantly lower among minorities, seniors and residents in low-income and rural communities. Roughly one-in-five adults – particularly minorities, low-income individuals and young adults - across the U.S. are smartphone only users, which means they rely on their wireless handheld devices for online access.
Research has indicated that telecommuting can improve productivity. Moreover, New Yorkers need an ultra-fast network that can handle large amounts of data quickly without the threat of freezing or crashing – and 5G will make it happen.
Overall, the 5G investments are expected to generate 3 million new jobs, $500 billion in GDP growth and $275 billion in investments nationwide. The wireless industry in New York is responsible for more than 193,000 jobs and nearly $28.2 billion in GDP.
Bringing more highspeed wireless networks to New York will also help small businesses, which the governor and other key policy makers has long recognized are the backbone of our economy, employing over half of the private sector workforce. Ensuring more of these businesses have full cellular coverage and access to high-speed broadband service will level the playing field and enable them to better compete in the global marketplace.
Wireless communications transmit radiofrequency (RF), which is part of the electromagnetic spectrum. After decades of research, the consensus among the scientific and health community is no evidence of adverse effects from exposure to RF emissions below FCC limits.
RF is part of the electromagnetic spectrum—which encompasses the entire range of light that exists, most of which is invisible. Many devices we use every day—baby monitors, televisions, light bulbs and garage door openers—transmit information using RF.
RF is part of the non-ionizing spectrum, along with visible light. The non-ionizing part of the spectrum has insufficient energy to break molecular bonds.
The FCC regulates RF emissions used for cellular transmissions and has adopted the recommendations of scientific organizations. In December 2019, the FCC unanimously reaffirmed these safety standards.
The safety of RF has been thoroughly researched and is subject to review by government health agencies and standard-setting organizations. These organizations include, but are not limited to, Federal Communications Commission, US Food and Drug Administration, International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, World Health Organization – Base Stations and Wireless Technologies, Health Canada, and Public Health England (Radio Waves and Health).
RF energy from antennas used in cellular transmissions, including 4G and 5G small cells, result in exposure levels well below FCC safety limits. No adverse health effects have been linked with exposure to wireless technologies.