Smart meters and 5G

[Gorgeous991]

Some countries (i.e. France) have now banned smart meters due to confirmed health risks (cancer, depression etc) so why smart meters are becoming compulsory in the UK?? Ive tried changing my elec supplier the other day and all the cheapest deals came back with asterisks saying smart meter installation is mandatory! Why is it so? If these additional wireless signals are so bad for human health? Also isnt it the same for 5G? Its now being rolled out the country and all conspiracy theories aside - it is scary. Why do we need it?? Or who actually needs this? Just a discussion please.

I would be interested to see the informed reporting (not fake news) that France banned them due to health issues. Usually it takes the European Commission to enact something like that

www.mediapart.fr/en/journal/france/020819/french-court-orders-edf-firm-replace-smart-meters-over-health-fears?_locale=en&onglet=full

Are you interested in a genuine "discussion?" Or will you be offended if people point out that much of the hysteria around 5G and smart meters is nonsense and badly misunderstood science.

France have ordered the removal of a specific type of smart meter from 13 homes. They have not banned them.

The idea behind smart meters is to aid the transition away from carbon based energy sources towards a renewable energy system (which is very challenging, and may require a change in how we consume and pay for the energy we use. Without a smarter network, we would face either rolling blackouts/brownouts or require a substantial and very expensive "buffer" of extra generators).

There is criticism to be made of how well smart meters will address this problem and how they have bern rolled out but the concept is not some dark, huge conspiracy.

People want 5G because they want increasingly faster, better connectivity. People expect technology to continue to improve. After 5G there will eventually be another improvement. You could argue wether that is a "want" or a "need" but 5G is not part of some evil master plan.

You are using the internet right now to share your opinions of how terrible the internet is. Or is it just the very newest technology that is dangerous? Are you also worried about radio waves?

citation needed

OP wasn't saying that the internet is terrible.

No but she was asking why we "need" 5G.
I was attempting to explain why it is generally accepted that we do "need" technological advancement. However op is currently accessing Mumsnet (whether by 4G on her phone or via WiFi on a laptop) was once the new technology. I doubt she is on dial up right now, but even dial up was once an "unnecessary" new technology. Maybe we don't really "need" these advancements at all but I certainly appreciate the ones we have at the moment.

5G is intended to cope with the increased traffic that will result from more adoption and use of portable smart devices whether that is phones, smart watches, household appliances, etc. Presumably some of these will work on WiFi, but the mobile networks will become busier and eventually unusable too if people just keep buying and using devices without increasing the infrastructure. It's like making a road wider to cope with more traffic using it - something the UK is not very good at! Next time you're stuck in a traffic jam, look at it as a physical example of "But why do we need this? What's wrong with the system we have now?"

@SquishySquirmy I prefer wired internet and wired meters. Thanks for asking. To me it seems that 5g and smart meters will be like living in a microvawe 24/7. Would I want that? No. So who is actually benefiting? Thanks

What about radio waves?
Is that "like living in a microwave?"
5G waves (and radio waves) are a much lower frequency than microwaves.
Radio waves are "radiation" too.

The power consumption of 5G is lower than that of 4G which means more antennas are needed but also means that the level of radiation from 5G antennas is lower.

Out of interest do you never use a mobile phone at all?

Who is benefitting?
Who usually benefits from technological advancements and improvements in communication?

Most people!

If you disagree with this, then at what point did technology and communication improvements reach the point that advancements were no longer necessary.

France has not banned smart meters? They have been rolled out nationwide.

@Gorgeous991

As demonstrated on the other 5G thread that you’re embarrassing yourself on, it’s probably best if you go away and develop some scientific literacy, then you can come back and have a sensible conversation about it.

We can talk later when you all develop cancers and obesity 10years later. Good luck!!!!

I suppose the answer to the first question I asked is a "no" then gorgeous 991

A shame because I genuinely hoped you wanted an actual discussion.

Best of luck to you too.
In the meantime do try to avoid all of the things that have an actual proven link to cancer and obesity.

We can talk later when you all develop cancers and obesity 10years later. Good luck!!!!

You'd like that wouldn't you? Most conspiracy nuts want nothing more for their bullshit beliefs to be validated, it makes them feel special.