5G Rollout Faces Major Setback: Health Concerns Force City to Say No

City Representatives Reverse Course After Hearing on 5G Dangers & Failure to Protect Public Health

In November of 2023, the Board of Representatives in Stamford, Connecticut voted against a plan to install 5G equipment in their city following presentations by experts on the dangers of radiofrequency (RF) radiation and government failures to protect the public.

  • Of the city’s representatives, 21 voted to reject a proposed agreement with AT&T and Verizon, while only 5 voted in favor of it and 8 abstained. The second-largest city in Connecticut is the only major city in the state, thus far, to refuse the agreement.
  • The city of Stamford representatives chose to shield their citizens from the dangers of RF radiation rather than cave to legal threats from telecom companies and the FCC, which may present a potential “test case” for opposition to the 5G rollout nationwide.
  • During their presentations to the board in October of 2023, experts provided irrefutable evidence on the public health and environmental effects of RF radiation, and raised questions of corruption within the regulatory agency, the FCC, tasked with protecting the general public from dangerous levels of wireless radiation.

Board members were informed of some of the most devastating impacts of wireless radiation on public health, including studies highlighted by one global expert, Dr. Kent Chamberlain, on the ways in which exposure to RF radiation can lead to “chronic inflammation and a host of adverse outcomes including: neurodegenerative disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chromosome damage, neuronal DNA damage, neuropsychiatric effects, [and] sperm damage.”

Experts also provided evidence of the damage from harmful wireless radiation to trees, insects and other species that may impact the food chain and endanger the food supply.

As the hearing progressed, city representatives were educated on the FCC’s human exposure limits, which are based upon inadequate short-term studies conducted in the 1980s of only 8 rats and 5 monkeys, to determine the general public’s radiation threshold.

Dr. Devra Davis noted during the presentations that the Environmental Health Trust, which she founded, sued the FCC over their wireless radiation exposure limits and in August of 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled that the FCC’s decision not to update the exposure limits was “arbitrary and capricious.”

The court determined that, “the testing procedures, particularly as they relate to children and long-term exposures were a ‘complete failure,’” Davis remarked. “The court found that the FCC had failed to provide evidence of properly examining long-term exposure, children’s vulnerability, the testimony of people injured by radiation sickness, and impacts to the developing brain and reproductive system.”

Dr. Chamberlain wrapped up his presentation to the board by addressing the question of “How come the FCC isn’t protecting us?” as he pointed to issues of corruption within the agency, citing a Harvard Center for Ethics study entitled, “Captured Agency: How the Federal Communications Commission Is Dominated by the Industries It Presumably Regulates.”

“The title says it all,” Chamberlain explained, as he emphasized a quote from the study which stated, “Industry controls the FCC through a soup-to-nuts stranglehold that extends from its well-placed campaign spending in Congress through its control of the FCC’s Congressional oversight committees to its persistent agency lobbying.”

After reviewing the information presented, board members found the proposed contract for installations of 5G equipment in their city to be severely problematic considering the health risks and the absence of the public’s informed consent. “If there’s the smallest of chances — even the smallest — that this may cause harm, I don’t see any reason why we should be passing this forward,” replied Representative Stella.

Before This Case, Health Takes a Backseat to Money

Connecticut governor, Ned Lamont, whose second inaugural ball received a $10,000 donation from AT&T, brokered the deal with telecommunications giants, AT&T and Verizon, to put into effect a template contract for 5G installations on utility poles across major cities throughout the state including Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven, Stamford and Waterbury.

After settling a years-long court battle with AT&T for delaying the telecom carrier’s requests for installations on city light poles, the city of Hartford finally approved the proposed 5G agreement.

As the founder of a telecommunications company, Governor Lamont, has made the expansion of 5G in his state a “key priority,” giving fifth generation wireless networks a center stage during his inaugural State of the State address in 2019.

The rollout of 5G is one aspect of Lamont’s larger strategic plan “to build an all-digital state government.” In 2021, Lamont signed legislation to facilitate the build-out of digital and telecom systems to support modernized state government operations, including “standards for digital identity verification.”

The “all-digital state government” plans of Governor Lamont, who serves on the National Advisory Board for Biden’s re-election campaign, fall in line with the Biden regime’s initiative to deploy 5G infrastructure across the nation while developments in digital identity, CBDCs, and artificial intelligence ramp up.

The Biden regime pledged over $40 billion in taxpayer money from the infrastructure bill to deploy high-speed internet access and 5G connectivity nationwide, of which Connecticut received $144.2 million.

Pondering the vast sums of money at stake, Stamford city representative, Sean Boeger remarked, “every time you throw money into the issue, all of a sudden, health takes a backseat.”

“Test Case” for Opposition to 5G Rollout

Critics argue the decision by the Stamford Board of Representatives defies a 2018 FCC ruling to block states and municipalities from impeding 5G deployment, which may lead to potential lawsuits by telecom companies. The 2018 FCC ruling has been challenged by several states but was upheld  by the Ninth Circuit.

However, proponents of the decision say telecommunications carriers have no grounds to sue yet, as the city simply voted against the terms of a model contract proposed by the governor, rather than issuing an ordinance or regulation to effectively ban 5G.

Representative Grunberger commented, “I don’t think we should back away from this because of the threat of a lawsuit … If, in fact, we have to be a test case on this, I think we should be a test case.” Grunberger also remarked during a November meeting that, “The federal government does not have guidelines for long-term exposure, so we need to protect our city ourselves, and not succumb to legal threats.”

Sandri recommends that cities insist carriers provide, “detailed studies for public review and scientific analysis to prove that they’re complying,” with existing human RF exposure standards prior to considering requests for new 5G installations. Sandri reiterated that, “existing law is quite clear that the FCC’s been remanded in federal court,” and their human exposure rules “are up for current review.”

However, the FCC has not complied with the court’s order to review their electromagnetic radiation exposure limits and explain how its standards adequately protect human health.

Scott McCollough, the chief litigator representing Children’s Health Defense, which won the consolidated case with Environmental Health Trust has argued, The FCC intends to keep stalling until it is too late to do anything because any reductions to the exposure limits would require a massive recall and overhaul of the entire wireless infrastructure they want to get deployed now.”

Blake Levitt, a science journalist with decades of experience in the study of RF radiation, told the board she believes that, “when the federal government refuses to regulate adequately, that duty then falls to the states,” arguing that there is a “strong case that the FCC, that has overriding jurisdiction on this particular subject, is in serious dereliction of duty.” Just because we are under the FCC umbrella at this point… if we don’t take a stand against that, that puts municipalities in the position of being in complicity with this status quo. At some point, someone is going to have to stand up and say, ‘This just will not happen. This cannot be allowed to happen.’ Maybe that will be Stamford. Maybe that will be you.”

Following the board’s rejection of the 5G proposal, Dr. Davis told the Defender that when, “confronted with overwhelming, independent scientific information about the real and present dangers of bringing electromagnetic fields closer to humans than ever before, Stamford voted to protect people and their environment.”

Environmental Health Trust remarked, “We know land-use decisions made in Stamford on the 5G build-out will reverberate statewide and far beyond.”

The decision by Stamford Board of Representatives to vote against the 5G plan may indeed renew efforts by cities across the nation to reject similar proposals that favor the telecom industry and its captured regulatory agency over the health and safety concerns of their citizens.

My question to all of you is where do you stand on this topic? Do you believe the health dangers of 5G that have stopped cities like Stamford to intervene and stop them overrule the faster speed?

 

Dr. Sky                          Sky@GeeksByTheHour.com

6GHz Finally Given Green Light by FCC

FCC Gives Metaverse Devices 6GHz Greenlight

Published on 10/20/2023 11:43 AM

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has given the go-ahead for tech companies to create Metaverse devices and wearables that operate at the 6GHz wireless band. 

The commission will permit Metaverse-enabled wearable technology, including virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) devices, to tap into the speedy 6GHz frequency –, which boasts faster speeds, more bandwidth and lower latency.

Tech companies developing these devices won’t need a license either, meaning that all VR and AR devices operating at very low power (VLP) can use the 6GHz frequency as long as they have a total of 850 megahertz of spectrum.

“These rules will spur an eco-system of cutting-edge applications, including wearable technologies and augmented and virtual reality that will help businesses, enhance learning opportunities, advance healthcare opportunities and bring new entertainment,” the FCC said in a statement announcing the rule changes.

“The 6 GHz band is important for next-generation Wi-Fi operations. The FCC, in recent years, expanded unlicensed use in 1,200 megahertz of spectrum between 5.925 and 7.125 GHz. Today’s rules build off this success to allow for other types of operations in the band.”

The commission added that this move would “enrich consumer experiences and bolster the nation’s economy.” It stressed devices will be restricted to that VLP level.

About Time!

The news comes as a host of tech companies, including Meta, Apple and Google work to push out AR and VR wearables, devices, and related equipment in the coming months (Winter 2023).

Meta is set to launch its Meta Quest 3 device in October, while Apple’s Vision Pro is expected to be released in early 2024. Meta also launched a second iteration of its Ray-Ban-partnered AR glasses in September. According to Bloomberg, Apple and Google are also working on similar AR-enabled glasses.

The three tech giants all petitioned for the FCC to approve the use of the 6GHz band back in 2019 – to no avail.

Before the latest rule change, they could make use of the sub-GHz frequency unlicensed, the companies have long been trying to avoid pesky licensing issues while using the most up-to-date Wi-Fi connectivity standards.

“The new rules however are careful to limit these devices to very low power levels and subject them to other technical and operational requirements that will permit these devices to operate across the United States while protecting incumbent licensed services that operate in the 6GHz band,” the FCC stated in its release.

The 6 GHz band is also used by services that manage the US electric grids, long-distance phone services and backhaul – hence the need for FCC oversight on the tech.

As part of its agreement to allow VLP devices to access the frequency, the regulator also proposed expanding the ability for devices to use higher power levels if they are geofenced to stop interference with licensed operations on the same band.

Handling Nationwide Emergency Alerts on October 4, 2023

Individuals who rely on devices in all homes and residences should turn them off ahead of the national emergency alert test before October 4, 2023. Credit: Getty

On Oct. 4, at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET, cellular devices, televisions, and radio systems will ring out from a national emergency alert test designed to ensure the country’s mass communication services are in working order – and intended to be heard loud and clear by anyone nearby. 

Fortunately, device users looking to silence a hidden resource have time to prepare.

Many Americans will already be familiar with the blaring alarm noise and accompanying notification blasts pushed to their phones, known as Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), used by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in four types of critical emergency situations:

  1. “National Alerts” issued by the President of the United States or the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA);
  2. “Imminent Threat” alerts involving imminent threats to safety or life;
  3. Amber Alerts” about missing children; and
  4. “Public Safety Messages” conveying recommendations for saving lives and property.

October’s test will utilize both WEA and the Emergency Alert System (EAS) for television and radio.

This isn’t the first national test of WEA, but it’s only the second time the alert will be sent to all U.S. cellphones. For most, it will be a brief blip in their day.

But for those in unsafe domestic circumstances, and other at-risk secondary device users, the alert could pose a larger problem, as an unexpected noise may alert abusers to the location of commonly-used hidden devices in the home.

Who might use a hidden device?

Globally, advocates have raised concerns about automatic, emergency alerts leading to discovery and retaliation. In April, the UK government alerted users to this potential risk after consultation with regional domestic abuse charities, many of which worried about the inadvertent consequences of such an alert.

Audace Garnett is the technology safety project manager at the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), a national coalition working to address intimate partner violence. Originally founded in 1990 by domestic violence victim advocates, NNEDV was involved in the 1994 passage of the Violence Against Women Act, the first federal legislation to strengthen the government’s response to crimes perpetrated against survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.

She says these tech considerations have become a central aspect to organizing against domestic violence and survivor advocacy. “Everywhere we look, everywhere that we go, technology is intertwined into our lives, whether it’s at the airport or the bus station or wherever we go,” explains Garnett. “Technology isn’t the problem, it’s the abuse. Technology is just one tool among many that are misused by abusers to exert power and control.”

Because of this, she explains, survivors of intimate partner violence and others at risk may use secondary, hidden devices for a variety of reasons.

“It acts as a lifeline that allows emergency communication with support networks or services when the survivor may be in danger,” Garnett says. “They can call 911 or reach out to someone they feel safe connecting with. Additionally, it safeguards their privacy, serving as an alternative means of communication. If their primary device is compromised, they can use it to make appointments, connect with their loved ones, talk to an advocate, join groups, and find resources to attend school. It can also allow survivors to document evidence of threats or incidents they could use to show that there’s a pattern of violence, if they’re interested in proceeding with a case.”

In addition to NNEDV, the National Domestic Violence Hotline also notes how life-preserving technology can simultaneously be used by abusers as a form of digital abuse, defined as “the use of technology and the Internet to bully, harass, stalk, intimidate, or control” a partner or loved one.

“As technology has evolved, cell phones have become increasingly embedded in our daily lives. This provides quick access to resources and information, but it can also give other people instant updates on your whereabouts, habits, and activities. Cell phones can be used to track your location and retrieve call and text history,” the organization writes.

Thus, having a hidden device is a calculated risk by those in need. “The decision to have a hidden device should always be made with careful consideration of a survivor’s circumstance and the potential risks involved. Having a hidden device is not for everyone,” Garnett explains. “In some situations, it may not be safe or advisable to have a hidden device, as its presence could escalate violence or lead to further harm.”

How will the emergency alert test impact users?

According to FEMA, the emergency alert will be broadcast in two parts, through the EAS on television and radio and then via WEA on cellphones.

Alerts can be issued within an approximately 30-minute timeframe starting at 2:20 p.m. ET. Once issued, the alert should last one minute, and all wireless phones should receive the message only once. It will affect all WEA-compatible wireless phones that are switched on, within range of an active cell tower, not on “airplane mode,” and whose wireless provider participates in WEA, the FCC explains.

Apple Watches with cellular data are also able to receive emergency, government, and public safety alerts in certain regions, according to Apple.

“Receiving an emergency alert could potentially alert an abuser to the presence of a hidden device, similar to an unscheduled phone call,” Garnett says, noting emergency notifications like Amber Alerts or Silver Alerts for missing adults happen frequently throughout the year. “If the hidden device is not on silent, or an alert goes off from an app or update on the phone, it may cause alarm and things may escalate as a result.”

Garnett advises users of hidden smart devices to turn off their emergency alert notifications for a layer of year-round protection. But for October’s test alert in particular, smart devices and pay-as-you-go phones should be turned off completely (this may mean removing its battery) before the broadcast time — or at any time an actual national emergency alert could pose risk.

National alerts — including emergency notices from the president and from FEMA, like the October WEA test — cannot be turned off by device users, in accordance with the Warning, Alert, and Response Network (WARN) Act. “Survivors should turn off their phones completely,” Garnett reiterates. “There are other types of emergency alerts that survivors’ phones may receive if they haven’t disabled them (and most people have not), such as emergency weather alerts and Amber Alerts… Unlike a WEA test, these alerts are not announced ahead of time, making it even more advisable for survivors to have their hidden phones powered off when not actively using them.”

Some participating wireless carriers may offer the ability to block other, non-national alerts, such as those involving imminent threats to safety and Amber Alerts, the New York Times reports.

“For survivors that do have a hidden device, the decision to power off emergency or hidden phones when not in use is a strategic step to safeguard their safety to protect their privacy and preserve their confidentiality,” Garnett explains.

How to turn off specific emergency alerts for Apple users

While the FCC strongly urges the public to stay opted in to receive all emergency notifications, at-risk users looking to silence certain alerts on secondary devices can adjust their settings.

For iPhones running iOS 16:

  1. Go to your iPhone’s Settings menu.
  2. Select Notifications.
  3. Scroll to the bottom of the screen to the Government Alerts section.
  4. Users can turn various types of alerts on or off, including whether or not you’d like emergency alerts to issue a sound.
A screenshot of the iPhone settings menu.

The settings menu on an iPhone 12 running iOS 16. Credit: Apple
A screenshot of the iPhone notifications settings.

Credit: Apple
A screenshot of the iPhone settings for emergency alerts.
Credit: Apple

How to turn off specific emergency alerts for Android users

For Google devices running Android 13:

  1. Open the Settings menu.
  2. Select Safety & emergency.
  3. Scroll to Wireless emergency alerts.
  4. Users can turn various types of alerts on or off, including non-national WEA test alerts.
A screenshot of the Galaxy phone settings menu.

The settings menu on a Galaxy S20 running Android 13. Credit: Samsung/ Android
A screenshot of the Galaxy Safety and emergency settings menu.

Credit: Samsung/ Android
A screenshot of the Galaxy wireless emergency alerts settings.

The wireless emergency alerts menu on a Galaxy S20 running Android 13. Credit: Samsung/ Android
Another screenshot of the Galaxy wireless emergency alerts settings.

Credit: Samsung / Android

What else should users know?

Actual emergency alerts will continue long after the test, so at-risk users should be careful to power down hidden devices and be aware of additional, year-round precautions for keeping secondary technology.

Additionally, if the government issues an actual emergency alert on Oct. 4, the WEA test will still proceed at the same time on Oct. 11, FEMA explains.

Garnett suggests at-risk users consult additional technology resources available from NNEDV, including:

The National Domestic Violence Hotline suggests those with iPhones running iOS 16 or later look into Apple’s Safety Check. Safety Check allows users to quickly change sharing and access permissions on a device. “Safety Check allows survivors to check sharing privacy concerns related to their iPhones by giving them an easy way to view and update the information shared and data gathered from apps, networks, features, as well as the contacts in an iPhone that have access to specific data,” the hotline explains.

The organization offers additional survivor and technology safety resources, as well:

“Survivors have a right to technology,” Garnett says. “Oftentimes, when a survivor speaks out or seeks help, people will tell them to get rid of cellphones, social media, or to get off of the platforms and technology they are using. That is unfair. We need to figure out more ways to make a user accountable for the harm that they’re causing because survivors cannot avoid technology.”