The Georgian National Communications Commission is working intensively to ensure that Georgia can start using 5G internet in 2020. Against the background of development and implementation of innovative technologies in the 21^st century, we must respond to the existing challenges effectively. 5G internet is a prerequisite for the development of the economy, healthcare, education, business and other key industries in the country. The Commission has already carried out large-scale work to install 5G internet. It soon plans to hold an auction for work on the frequency spectrum that is needed for implementing the 5G network and services. GNCC will determine a list of duties for companies while the telecom firms will manage the 5G technology infrastructure.

Parallel to implementing innovative technologies, the Commission has had to deal with the spread of fake information on social media about 5G technology being dangerous for people’s health. Since a certain section of the public has been misled, the National Centre for Disease Control felt compelled to issue a statement to emphasise that COVID-19 cannot spread through the 5G mobile network.

The World Health Organisation has commented on this issue on numerous occasions, stating that radio frequency waves and specifically the 5G technology has no adverse effects on people’s health. WHO’s views are based on studies that it has conducted.   

Apart from statements from qualified and influential organisations, GNCC will also provide the public with full information about the extent to which 5G technology is beneficial and vital. 

All over the world, the path towards technological development leads through 5G internet. Thus, 5G technology is vital for the future development of our country and our society. 5G is the new generation of wireless internet technology, which stands out from the existing technologies through faster navigation and new services that previous technologies could not deliver. 5G’s connection speed and quality has a very broad potential of innovative services for the aforementioned industries and for the society as a whole.  

5G is already in use and 5G-based services are being tested worldwide in various fields such as healthcare, agriculture and transport. For example, the ‘smart emergency medical service,’ which determines how to treat patients in emergency situations, is already operating in test mode with the help of hospital personnel and paramedics.

5G technology is also used in agriculture. An example of this is the autonomous farming equipment that checks the soil using video sensors and determines exactly where to use fertilizers and pesticides. 5G technology also saves resources and increases efficiency in fields such as transport. For example, transport networks, local organisations and other public bodies can use 5G to improve public services such as parking, traffic management and street lighting.

It is also important to note that countries where 5G technology is already operating have been most effective in dealing with the pandemic using the new generation of technologies. In South Korea, 5G was used effectively to identify the virus clusters. A similar approach is used by Israel to control the quarantine zones. Taiwan was also among the first countries to use 5G technology effectively in the fight against the virus. According to the Johns Hopkins University figures, the above countries were among those that stabilised the spread of the virus and localised the sources of infection with most success.

In the light of all the benefits that 5G technology can bring, GNCC will continue to work on implementing the new generation of the internet in Georgia. It is vitally important to effectively respond to the modern-day challenges and assume one of the leading positions in implementing new technologies.