The EU-funded SEAWave project will address the existing knowledge gaps in the evolution between older and 5th Generation (5G) Technology by quantifying the differences in exposure patterns between 2G–4G and 5G for the entire population, including children, and providing the tools for reliable exposure assessment of, for example, base stations. 

Project description

The pervasiveness and social-economic dependence on wireless technology has steadily increased over the last three decades. Currently, the 5th generation (5G) New Radio (NR) cellular system is being deployed to unlock the potential of new applications that require the connection of many more devices (Internet of Things), higher data rates and low latency (autonomous driving, ‘Factory of the Future’). 5G operates in two frequency bands, 5G NR FR1 and 5G NR FR2. Many exposure parameters of 5G are similar to those of 2G-4G. However, there are also many differences that lead to major knowledge gaps, all of which will be addressed by the SEAWave project.

SEAWave will:

• quantify the differences in exposure patterns between 2G-4G and 5G for the entire population including children;
• provide new tools and instruments for reliable exposure evaluation of base stations, local networks in factories, and end-user devices;
• provide the means to minimise exposure;
• generate important new scientific data for assessing the health risk from exposure to the new frequency bands (FR2), especially with regard to the potential (co-)carcinogenicity of skin exposure and other hazardous effects;
• provide knowledge for effective health risk communication and dissemination to various stakeholders.

To achieve these ambitious objectives, the interdisciplinary consortium consists of highly experienced partners with leading expertise in the field who ideally complement each other to achieve maximum impact. European citizens, workers, national public health authorities, European Commission services, regulators, and standardisation bodies will all benefit from the SEAWave results as they will support science-based decisions and policies for the safe deployment and use of 5G and future wireless networks. Project SEAWave is part of the European cluster on EMFs and health.

Belgian partners

Interuniversitair Micro-Electronica Centrum (IMEC)