Brussels suspends 5G plan

A Belgian government minister has announced the suspension of plans to provide 5G wireless internet access throughout the Belgian capital due to concerns about radiation levels.

“I cannot welcome such technology if radiation standards, which must protect the citizen, are not respected,” said Céline Fremault, Minister of the Government of the Brussels-Capital Region, responsible for Housing, Quality of Life, Environment and Energy. “The people of Brussels are not guinea pigs whose health I can sell at a profit. We cannot leave anything to doubt.”

The Brussels Region’s radiation standards for telecom companies are particularly  strict, and have previously presented obstacles to providing 4G service throughout the capital.

Brussels has now become the first major international city to block 5G. However, dozens of local governments have passed legislation to prevent or restrict the implementation of 5G access due to concerns about possible health effects. For instance, on March 13, Portland’s (OR) city council demanded that the Federal Communications Commission update its research on the potential health and environmental impacts of 5G.