The Malaysian Nuclear Agency (Nuclear Malaysia) will conduct a thorough study together with stakeholders — the Ministry of Health included — on the impact and benefits of 5G technology on people, beginning the end of the year.
The agency will be conducting the study in Malaysia because they have only been disseminating information on 5G benefits and impact based on research from overseas.
The agency has acquired some new equipment to measure and assess radiation level safety and more, the Nuclear Malaysia Director-General stated, after launching the 9th International Conference on Non-Ionizing Radiation themed ‘5G: Transforming Our Future’.
The aim of the three-day gathering which started yesterday and with the participation of over 100 researchers, academicians, local and international industry players and others, is to shed light on non-ionizing radiation (NRI) utilisation in various fields like medical, telecommunications and electronics.
The Research Officer at Nuclear Malaysia stated that with the launch of 5G technology, telecommunications towers will increase and be closer to inhabited areas to enable things like smart cities and robotic technology.
However, exposure to NIR radio frequency (RF) does not impact health and, in actual fact, the Malaysian Communications & Multimedia Commission (SKMM) has set the RF limit at 1,000 microwatts per square metre, she said.
Pushing forward 5G tech
In an earlier report, OpenGov Asia noted that Malaysia’s National 5G Task Force, which was established to study and recommend a holistic strategy for 5G deployment in Malaysia, has made significant progress since its inception in October 2018.
The achievements of the task force include an increase in its membership, organising the 5G Malaysia Showcase, industry readiness in 5G implementation, as well as various plans discussed by each working group in the task force.
In terms of membership, it was noted that the number has increased from 30 during its initial stages to 110 as of 31 May 2019.
Moreover, in April, the 5G Malaysia Showcase was held. Among the latest 5G technologies showcased include autonomous self-driving car, drone for emergency first-responders, holoportation, remote surgery, and precision farming.
The four working groups under the task force – Business Case, Regulatory, Infrastructure, and Spectrum Management and Allocation – have all started work and are preparing their findings in the various areas of concern relating to 5G.
These include performing technical assessments, confirming suitable use cases and business model potential, as well as facilitating policy recommendations towards a more systematic 5G planning.
Apart from the work of the task force, a spectrum study is also being carried out to ensure readiness and availability of spectrum for 5G implementation. Meanwhile, a call for collaboration for 5G Malaysia Demonstration Project with the industry will also be announced in the near future.
Under this call for collaboration, industry players are invited to propose projects under verticals such as Agriculture, Automotive, Education, Media and Entertainment, Health, Manufacturing, Public Safety, Smart City, and catering for the differently-abled.
The results of the spectrum study will reveal about the future of 5G in Malaysia and who gets what spectrum.
According to another OpenGov article, Malaysia is currently working to fully adopt 5G technology by 2023, the country’s Deputy Foreign Minister said.
The country believes the tech will greatly facilitate the government’s efforts to improve the livelihoods of Malaysians and catalyse Malaysia’s development.
Malaysia is also one of the first few countries in the region to welcome 5G technology; it regards digital technology as the driving factor for innovation and growth in many important areas. Certainly, diplomacy is included.