Australia's 5G rollout plagued with connectivity issues and conspiracy theories
From coronavirus conspiracy theories to a lack of mobile support, the rollout of Australia's new 5G network has been plagued with controversy.
The network promises to revolutionise the country's wireless infrastructure with faster internet and greater connectivity, but not everyone is convinced.
A woman in England walks past an anti-5G graffiti message. Getty
Suggestions that 5G technology is spreading COVID-19 have been dismissed as 'utter rubbish.' Craig Abraham/The Age
Today technology expert Trevor Long said 5G is a path to the future but more needs to be done to ensure coverage, which he believes is lacking at the moment.
READ MORE: What you need to know about Australia's 5G network and how it will affect you
"A large part of Melbourne and parts of Sydney have coverage, but it is a long way from what people might expect of mobile coverage," he said.
"If we compare the 5G coverage to the 4G coverage, there is no gaps. If we are going to rely on 5G for things, we need it to be everywhere."
There are still gaps in Melbourne's 5G coverage, as opposed to 4G which is shown in green. Today
Optus' 5G coverage in Melbourne (left) and Sydney (right). Supplied
Long said that the rollout is also limited by a lack of 5G-enabled mobiles.
"There is very few 5G phones on the market today. Probably around eight or nine," he explained.
Telstra has teamed up with Samsung to release the Galaxy S10 which will be Australia's first 5G phone and service. AAP
"Samsung have six models and Oppo and LG also have phones but they're new models. No phone you bought two years ago has 5G."
CEO of the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) Chris Althaus admits that more work needs to be done, but maintains that when it is ready 5G will introduce the next industrial revolution.
"Connectivity is essential," he said."Just as we have seen through the COVID crisis, it is our way to stay connected and also in the future our way to connect to things like our cars and our transport systems and our cities and our homes. It will be a game- changing technology."
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