Mobile phone conflicts from the past as a lesson for 5G communication strategy

What is the issue?

With the introduction of the fifth generation of mobile communications (5G) in Germany at the beginning of 2019, there will be some changes over the coming years. To implement the new standard, more mobile communications base stations are needed; these also have new antenna characteristics such as beam forming. 5G will also use electromagnetic fields with a significantly higher frequency than previous mobile phone generations.

What is the current situation?

5G has triggered fears and concerns in some parts of the population – and in some cases protests against its introduction – because there are fears of effects on humans and the environment. There were similar protests when previous generations of mobile phones were introduced. Also at that time, health-related arguments against mobile communications were mentioned in the discussion.

What are the objectives of the BfS research project?

The aim of this project is to process historical and current discourses on mobile communications by means of a media resonance analysis. They provide the sociological basis for reconciling the concerns of the population with the technical-scientific positions. The project aims to clarify to what extent the current discussions on the introduction of 5G have remained the same or have changed because of new arguments, other actors, and/or a changed discussion culture. The focus should be on health effects and scientific uncertainties in risk assessment. However, accompanying factors (e.g. voluntary nature of exposure, zeitgeist) should also be considered. The importance of new communication channels and means (social media) compared with the introduction of nationwide mobile communications in the past also needs to be assessed. The results will be considered in the (risk) communication on 5G.

What results did the research project provide?

The question was examined to what extent today's conflicts about the expansion of 5G represent a repetition or further development of earlier discussions or whether new arguments, new insights, changed actors and new discussion cultures can be worked out. Overall, the need for fast, mobile internet is largely shared, but 5G raises the question of whether the expansion is really necessary 'for everyone' - i.e. especially for private individuals. If concrete conflicts break out, in which health aspects often occupy a particularly powerful position, a hardening of opposing assessments and a dichotomy always take place there, making conflict settlement more difficult. Against the background of sometimes difficult-to-understand constellations and complex conflict scopes, intensities of tension increase. Fundamentally, science and risk communication - then as now - are proving to be decisive in terms of their potential to pick up on triggers of conflicts and to deal with risks and uncertainty.

The analysis, evaluation and, in particular, the recommendations for action serve as a basis for the BfS to develop information and communication concepts and strategies. The recommendations for action produced in the research project show communication strategies for maintaining and optimising the credibility of authorities and institutions, among other things. The information mandate in the field of radiation protection can thus be improved.

The elaboration of characteristics of conflict phases and ranges, inherent logics, emotionalisation of health aspects, behavioural patterns and power levels are indispensable background information for dealing with conflict situations in practice. The consideration of dangers and opportunities is just as important as, for example, the selection of appropriate citizen participation procedures to avoid conflict escalation.

In order to prepare and cope with different communication situations, the aspects of factual communication at eye level have to be considered. Recognising and understanding argumentation patterns in radiation protection-related communication as well as the discursive shifting of positions form the basis of successful communication appropriate to the target group.