5G: 5^th generation mobile communication.

5G is the next, or fifth, generation mobile network, coming after 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G. It not only offers much faster data download and upload speeds – it will also increase quality and capacity to such an extent that millions of devices will be able to connect to the internet smoothly.

2G revolutionised communication – at the time – by giving us the opportunity to send text messages (SMS) as well as make phone calls from our mobile devices. 3G took things a step further by allowing us to go online while 4G and 4.5G have continued to take the mobile internet to new heights. 5G will not only mean even faster speeds, it will also increase quality and capacity to such an extent that millions of devices will be able to connect to the internet smoothly. This will enable a number of exciting advances in areas such as self-driving vehicles, remote healthcare and other uses with social, environmental and economic benefits.

The major test site will be at the Melita Data Centre next to Madliena Fort. Check the other sites here, where test data from all sites are published on this page.

Melita’s 5G-ready network is supplied by Ericsson, a Swedish multinational network and telecommunications company. Ericsson have already deployed more than 60 5G networks in more than 30 countries around the world. Melita has taken the decision to keep working with Ericsson for trialling 5G in Malta.

We measure emissions at the test locations using an industry standard field strength analyser and procedure. We measure over a period of 6 minutes and take the maximum of the average readings in that period. The readings are then shown a percentage of the ICNIRP general public.

This is the same methodology used by regulators both locally and in other countries including OFCOM, the UK Government regulator.

For 5G we are using frequencies which have been used for a long time, meaning there is a large body of scientific research into the effects of transmitting at these frequencies, and their suitability for telecommunications use.

The measurements we are getting from this trial are a very small percentage of the recommended guidelines for the general public issued by ICNIRP, these guidelines are designed to protect our health.

The measurements on this page show that radio emissions in Malta are far below the global guideline levels set by ICNIRP, – a non-governmental organisation formally recognised by WHO. The 5G trial results do not significantly increase emission levels.  These results are in line with readings from the UK taken by OFCOM in sites where 5G networks are live.

This is because the frequencies that Melita is using for 5G are frequencies which have already been in use by wireless networks for many years, and due to the advanced nature of our Ericsson network.

We are trialling 5G to test the equipment and measure performance in a local context.  We started rolling out our 5G-ready network with Ericsson, a Swedish multinational networking and telecommunications company, in 2018 and completed nationwide coverage in 2019. Since then, we’ve been operating the new network at 4.5G and, as a result, seen our mobile customers’ satisfaction increase steadily.   It is a logical step now to do a limited trial of 5G, to measure performance with this more advanced technology. Depending on the results of this test, on the availability of devices, and on the potential societal advantages that the technology will bring, we will consider whether to launch this service in the future.