16 Jun How Brominated Flame Retardants help make the 5G revolution fire safe

The 5G (fifth generation) of mobile technologies will revolutionize our connectivity and help a post-Covid-19 economic growth.

5G has the potential to affect connectivity and economies in ways never seen before. Indeed, 5G technologies will play a vital role in the post-Covid-19 global recovery – triggering growth across sectors globally at a time when the world desperately needs it.

Ericsson’s latest Mobility Report estimates that by the end of this year 5G smartphone subscriptions will almost triple to 600 million, compared to 2020. By 2022, 5G subscriptions will become the de-facto standard, surpassing the one-billion mark according to Ericsson’s estimates. This is expected to have a huge impact on jobs and GDP across the EU. According to a recent study by Accenture, 5G will create or transform up to 20 million European jobs and contribute up to € 1 trillion ($ 1.2 trillion) to European GDP.

As a matter of fact, 5G is expected to be at the core of the EU twin digital and green transition. The European Commission has set a target to cover all populated areas with 5G by 2030 in its 2030 Digital Compass strategy.

The increasing uptake of this new technology rests on Printed Circuit Boards, or PCBs, for transmitting radio signals. To implement the new standard, PCBs must be installed in new base stations and devices, carrying an increased potential fire load due to the use of flammable plastics.

It will be critical to protect consumers during use and avoid the fire risk for homes, given that electrical devices routinely carry electric currents generating heat as a by-product.

Discover how flame retardants ensure the safety of the 5G revolution in this video explainer.