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Is there a 5G antenna near you in Switzerland? A new map has the answer

More than 2,200 5G antennas are now deployed in Switzerland, a significant increase from the 102 mounted when the new mobile technology was rolled out in April 2019.

Is there a 5G antenna near you in Switzerland? A new map has the answer
One of the 5G antennae mounted in Switzerland. Photo: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP

Swiss TV station RTS has created an interactive map showing where the 5G antennas are located throughout the country. 

By moving the line on the map, a user can see the progression of the fifth-generation of cellular technology between June 2019, when only 280 antennas were rolled out, and the present time.

The map was created based on the data from the Federal Office of Communications.

The activation of 5G antennas is not uniform across the country, RTS said.

The largest number of transmitting stations are in big cities, led by Zurich (108), Bern (48), Winterthur (30) and Geneva (27). Some towns, like Yverdon-les-Bains, have none.

Currently, 1018 communes— 46 percent of the country’s municipalities ‑ have at least one 5G antenna.

As for the cantons, Bern, with 416 antennas and Zurich, with 375, are the most connected. Vaud (167) and Geneva (109)  have the most antennas in the French-speaking Switzerland.

Switzerland was among the first nations to begin deploying 5G, but this technology has been controversial here, as it has been in other countries as well.

Because of possible health risks associated with the radiation from the antennas, several cantons have not authorised them. However, operators Swisscom, Sunrise and Salt can still deploy the system by transforming 4G antennas, while respecting the same radiation limit values.

The rollout had sparked a nationwide revolt last year, when thousands have demonstrated in Bern against this technology.

More demonstrations against 5G are scheduled to take place on January 25th in Switzerland and other countries.

READ MORE: Why Switzerland has been ranked 'best country' in the world once again 

 


 

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LIVING IN FRANCE

France to roll out ID cards app

Technology is being rolled out to allow people to carry their French ID cards in an app form - and could be rolled out to other cards, including driving licences and cartes de séjour residency cards.

France to roll out ID cards app

Holders of French carte d’identité (ID cards) will soon be able to carry certified digital versions of them on their smartphone or other electronic devices, a decree published in the Journal Officiel has confirmed.

An official app is being developed for holders of the newer credit card-format ID cards that have information stored on a chip. A provisional test version of the app is expected at the end of May.

Users will be able to use the ID card app, when it becomes available, for a range of services “from checking in at the airport to renting a car”, according to Thierry Breton, EU Commissioner for the Internal Market.

All French citizens have an ID card, which can be used for proving identity in a range of circumstances and for travel within the EU and Schengen zone – the new app will be in addition to the plastic card that holders already have.

Under the plans, after downloading the app, card holders will need merely to hold the card close to their phone to transfer the required information. According to officials, the holder then can decide what information is passed on – such as proof of age, or home address – according to the situation.

The government has not given any examples of situations in which the app would need to be used, but has set out the main principles and the ambition of the plan: to allow everyone to identify themselves and connect to certain public and private organisations, in particular those linked to the France Connect portal.

READ ALSO What is France Connect and how could it make your life simpler?

Cards will continue to be issued for the foreseeable future – this is merely an extension of the existing system.

Only French citizens have ID cards, but if successful the app is expected to be rolled out to include other cards, such as driving licences, cartes de séjour residency cards or even visas. A digital wallet is being developed at the European level – Member States have until September to agree what it could contain.

READ ALSO Eight smartphone apps that make life in France a bit easier

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