Gearing up for 5G: What’s real and What’s not

One of the next big things in technology is finally starting to be implemented around the world, but as the mobile tech scene gears up for 5G, it’s unavoidable for some conspiracy theories to surface -- from the simplest to the more peculiar ones. What’s the real deal about 5G? Globe will debunk five myths that surround the latest wireless technology.

 

Myth 1: 5G is related to the spread of coronavirus disease in 2019.

 

The global health pandemic, that is the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and 5G is in no way related to each other. The theories that supported this were COVID-19 and 5G became a hot topic for the world almost at the same time and that both are related to China.  However, these aren’t enough to prove such claims that 5G can be a method to spread the disease.

 

First, technology for 5G was initially introduced to the world in October 2018, while the highly-contagious disease stemmed from Wuhan, China in December 2019. China wasn’t the first country to implement 5G, South Korea, and the US both did it earlier.

 

For more obvious reasons, the coronavirus disease can’t spread through 5G as it is transmitted through saliva droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. 

 

Myth 2: 5G can cause cancer.

 

False beliefs about wireless technologies posing risks to people for developing cancer existed for quite some time.  Time and again, authorities like the World Health Organization have been refuting this.

 

According to WHO, there hasn’t been any significant finding linking wireless technologies like 5G to possible causes of cancer. A health concern that can be related to these technologies is tissue heating, which naturally occurs since it is “the main mechanism of interaction between radiofrequency fields and the human body,” which is similar to how bodies respond when doing exercises.

 

Both the WHO and the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection explained that there will be no detrimental health concerns from 5G as long as overall radiofrequency exposure doesn’t exceed 300GHz.

 

Myth 3: Anyone can have access to 5G.

 

In an ideal world, yes. But in developing countries like the Philippines, this is something that might take a little longer. Globe is ramping up its expansion efforts by adding more telecommunication infrastructures across the country to bring connectivity.  Globe is also set to unveil the 5G mobile experience in Makati and Bonifacio Global City in Taguig by the 3rd quarter of this year.

Another concern for 5G access is that not all smartphones support 5G. Globe stores, however, have 5G capable phones such as Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G, Huawei P40 series, Huawei Nova 7SE, and Samsung S20 Ultra. The company is also looking to add more 5G capable mobile devices in the coming months.

 

Myth 4: 5G will replace 4G.

 

Unlike what happened during the transition from 3G to 4G when the latter was made to replace the former, 5G does not intend for 4G to be obsolete. What will happen is somehow a technology co-existence since 5G will build from 4G LTE. In a June 1, 2020 report by CNET, it stated that those using 4G LTE might experience faster speeds when 5G becomes available. The same article also cited a GSMA Intelligence report which noted that 15% of mobile connections around the world will utilize 5G by 2025, while 4G LTE usage will be about 59%.

 

Myth 5: 5G can be used for mind control.

 

This is one of the weirdest and far-fetched theories about 5G. As mentioned, there hasn’t been any concrete study to prove that 5G has effects on the human body. However, once 5G is fully implemented, technologies that rely on connectivity for data processing like Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, and robotics will surely get the needed boost to develop functions useful to the real world.

Experts Urge Public To Take A Closer Look At Drinking Water

MANILA, July 2020 – Health experts reveal that it is not enough that the water you drink looks clean to the naked eye. Your water should also be proven clean through lab tests, to avoid common water-borne diseases, such as cholera, dysentery, and gastroenteritis. Unfiltered water also has many potential contaminants, such as chlorine, heavy metals, and allergens, as well as parasites.

Despite this, keep in mind that water is also important in everyday hydration. A document released by the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition cites hydration as a key to supporting the body’s ability to fight the COVID-19 virus and support the immune system, recommending 2-4 ounces of clear liquid beverages every 15 minutes.

 

“Keeping properly hydrated at a time like this refreshes our bodies and keeps the virus away,” said Dr. Sybil R. Bravo, a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital and a member of the Blood-Bourne Infectious Diseases Core Team.

 

Health experts around the world continue to stress the need for proper hydration, along with getting enough sleep and proper handwashing, as the best ways to ward off the COVID-19 virus. However, access to safe and clean water continues to be a challenge. There are many harmful substances and minerals in unpurified water, and not all bottled water in the market is the same

 

Finding clean water that undergoes stringent purification processes to filter harmful substances and minerals means checking the purification process of which it undergoes. Some follow stricter and more stringent global processes to ensure that they are truly clean. Wilkins Pure, one of the water brands of The Coca-Cola Company, is certain to be clean and pure. With international certifications under its belt, Wilkins Pure goes through an advanced, seven-step purification process, which helps assure that the water you drink purifies the body of toxins.

 

Learn more about the Wilkins via its official Facebook page or cokebeverages.ph.

 

Grab, Navotas provides thousands of livelihood opportunities to help Navotenos recover from the pandemic

MANILA, Philippines - July 2020 — Grab Philippines together with the City government of Navotas, has announced its partnership which aims to leverage on Grab’s platform and provide livelihood opportunities to Navotenos in helping them recover from the impacts of the pandemic.

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Grab has launched its GrabBayanihan program intending to help Filipinos respond and recover from the pandemic. While GrabBayanihan has delivered protection and support to Filipinos during the early stages of the pandemic, Grab is again calling on the spirit of Bayanihan – this time through local government partners across Metro Manila.  

“With responsible use of technology as well as our enduring partnership with the City of Navotas, we hope to continue helping our Navotenos who have been greatly affected by the pandemic get back on their feet through the many livelihood opportunities available on our Grab platform”, said Brian Cu, Grab Philippines President.

“This is a welcome opportunity for Navoteños who strive to support their families amid the pandemic. The GrabBayanihan program not only provides livelihood to our people; it also brings hope that life will become better if we help and lift each other up,” Mayor Toby Tiangco said.

Grab will be providing livelihood opportunities to around 500 tricycle drivers and displaced workers in the City of Navotas, whereby they will be trained and onboarded as GrabFood and GrabExpress delivery-partners. Likewise, Grab will be providing market access to at least 500 of the greatly affected MSMEs in the city so that they may continue operating their businesses digitally through the Grab app.

Under the GrabBayanihan Socio-economic recovery program, individuals who are interested in being part of Grab’s Food or Express Delivery Fleet must be:

1. A resident of the City of Navotas; 

2. At least twenty one (21) years up to fifty (50) years of age;

3. Owns and knows how to operate a smartphone

4. Owns and/or operates either of the following which can be used for delivery: a tricycle, a motorcycle, or a bicycle;

5. In possession of a Driver’s License issued by the Land Transportation Office, and is valid for at least 21 days before the expiration date.

6. For motorcycle owners, they must present their registration documents such as: 

1. Official Receipt and Certificate of Registration; 

2. If the vehicle registration is not owned by the user, they must present any supporting documents as follows: 

1. Authorization Letter of the owner with Xerox Copy of valid ID with 3 specimen signatures, 

2. Notarized Deed of Sale and Reposition Certificate

Meanwhile, small business owners who wish to be part of the program must have the necessary business permits and other requirements issued by the City of Navotas.

Interested parties are highly encouraged to prepare their documents and to visit their Public Employment Service Office (PESO) for an initial assessment.

Caring for customer service agents amidst the pandemic

“Working during the pandemic is so risky.  But it’s worse if we just stay at home and there’s no food to eat.  My house is so far from my work.  There’s no jeep so I have to walk.  Thankfully, during the ECQ (enhanced community quarantine), the company offered to house us so we can still work and have a salary.  And the company provided us allowances and hazard pay and free meals.  I am content but worried,” narrated Fatima Perido, an employee of a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) unit in Cebu City who works as a Globe customer service representative.

 

Fatima, like many call center agents, continues to brave the threat of the virus to survive and feed her family.  But despite her difficult circumstances, other call center agents have it worse.  The challenges that COVID-19 brought has prompted some of Globe’s BPO partners to close or limit their operations, drastically cutting down to less than 40% the manpower supporting Globe’s customer operations for both its hotline and social media channels.

 

The situation prompted Globe and its vendor partners to work closely to address the needs of frontliners. The people who take care of customers have to be taken care of as well.  This is aligned with Globe’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goal No. 3 that promotes good health and well-being for all.

 

“Putting people first has always been at the core of our values in Globe. In this health crisis when people need to be at the center of decisions and actions, we put equal importance to our customers and frontliners. While we provide the connectivity and assistance that are crucial to our customers, we also want to make sure that the people who assist them are not left behind,” said Rebecca Eclipse, Globe Chief Customer Experience Officer.

Globe’s vendor partners arranged free accommodations and shuttle services for their employees as well as giving them free food and health kits, which contain vitamins, face masks, and alcohol. Before entering the office or going to the field, frontliners undergo mandatory health protocols. Globe, for its part, provided them with hazard pay, incentives, and additional protection kits.

 

The ongoing quarantine restrictions, however, continue to impact the availability of frontliners.  It is expected that the current number will further go down due to the ECQ happening again in Cebu where some of Globe’s BPO partners are located.

 

While things are yet to return to normal, Globe is continuously looking for ways to provide support to customers whose connectivity needs to keep increasing.  Thus, to make up for the lack of hotline personnel, Globe encourages its customers to use mobile apps such as GlobeOne, Globe at Home, GCash, and TM apps to manage their accounts. These apps allow customers to monitor their usage, report concerns, troubleshoot technical issues, pay bills, and conduct other common transactions without having to speak with the limited number of frontliners.

 

Globe is also exploring a remote desktop tool that will allow frontliners to work from home. This will give them access to the systems and information that they need while keeping company and customer data secure.

 

To know more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.

Missing Movie Nights? Recreate the Cinema Experience at the Comfort of your Home

PHILIPPINES - July 2020 - There is no denying that the safety responses to the current global health crisis have been changing the way we live. Amid the shifting ‘new normal,’ most communities are still under quarantine and lockdowns. People are still largely advised to stay at home, which means that a quick trip to our favorite lifestyle and entertainment centers like movie houses are prohibited or limited.

But who says that you cannot have a great movie night experience with your loved ones at home?

Nowadays, projectors come in different sizes and types with versatile features that help bring the cinema viewing experience at home, eliminating the risks involved in going out to visit entertainment centers.

The Power of 3LCD Technology

Most of today’s home projectors operate using 3LCD technology, an innovation that utilizes liquid crystal panels to deliver vibrant, true-to-life, and consistent images for the viewer.

Epson 3LCD laser projectors use three separate liquid crystal panels to process each primary color (red, green, and blue) continuously, so that even rapid-motion video is delivered smoothly.

On the other hand; single-chip projectors deliver a rapid sequence of red, green, and blue; which is translated by the viewer's eye as an impression of a full-color image. This technology doesn’t work for some viewers, who see multiple lines or blurry images known as the “rainbow effect,” especially when watching rapid motion videos.

The Smallest of Its Kind

If you’re looking for the best home projector for your current stay-at-home set up, then the world’s smallest 3LCD laser projectors, the Epson EF-100 series might just be the right pick for you. 

These sleek projectors can recreate brilliant images anywhere within your home. With a projection size of up to 150 inches, the portable EF-100 series combines the large-screen viewing experience with flexibility and usability. A game-changer in home projection, these models can be installed to project visuals at any angle with 360-degree flexibility, opening possibilities for home entertainment — by getting to watch movies projected on the living room wall, or even on the ceiling when viewed from the bed.

These compact projectors feature a slim and minimalist design and come in tailored black (EF-100B) and classy white (EF-100W), with the latter being available exclusively for online purchases. Designed for a stylish lifestyle, the projectors blend seamlessly into a home environment’s contemporary aesthetics.

Light and Compact yet Powerful

Epson EF-100 projectors are also compact and light, measuring only 23cm and weighing 2.7kg, which makes it easy to carry and place anywhere at home. It can project up to 150 inches in size with 360-degree flexibility providing endless possibilities for projection, unlike TV screens that are stationary and have a fixed display size of up to 70 inches only.

Projecting at 2,000 lumens with a high contrast ratio, film enthusiasts will experience exceptionally rich and vivid images with the EF-100 series. There is also no need to turn the lights off or close the windows because the projector’s laser light source creates bright and vibrant images, even in daylight.

User-friendly and Low Maintenance 

With laser as its light source, the EF-100 series is maintenance-free, more energy-efficient, and has a longer life span versus lamp projectors. Lasers only need replacing after 20,000 hours of usage, which is longer than projection lamps. To add, mercury-free lasers do not require special handling or end-of-life disposal. In terms of connectivity, streaming, and accessing content from phones, tablets, DVD players, game consoles, and laptops is also made easy with its built-in HDMI port.

These projectors have a user-friendly interface designed for users who are just beginning to build a theatre system at home. Setting up is a breeze with features such as keystone correction, which helps users easily adjust the shape of an image that is unevenly rectangular on the sides.

With Epson’s EF-100 series, you can now transform any part of your home into a theatre. With its cutting-edge features, these projectors come up as one of the best options for homeowners who want to re-experience the magic of cinema and large screen viewing right at the comfort of their homes.