Paris (AFP)

EELV requests a "moratorium on 5G" which will generate "a large inflation of electricity consumption" and allow "the collection of personal data", according to François Thiollet, member of the executive committee of the party.

"5G will accelerate the ability to disseminate information but its energy footprint is a major problem," said Thiollet, delegate to the Europe Greens Ecology project, on Friday.

In a motion adopted almost unanimously by the hundred federal advisers of the party last weekend, EELV warns that "5G will be the occasion of a big inflation of the electric consumption and the collection of personal data of the users , via the many + connected + gadgets that will be offered for purchase. " "Once 5G is deployed in France, it is not less than 2% increase in electricity consumption at the national level which is mentioned".

"At a time of ecological and social emergency, promoting a technology that increases energy consumption and depletes resources a little more requires at least taking the time for democratic debate and therefore clear, comprehensive information and unbiased ", add the Greens.

They therefore ask for "a moratorium on the deployment of 5G until the final conclusions" from the experts (ANSES, ADEME) and, during the moratorium, "complete transparency on plans to install mobile phone antennas" .

At the end of the moratorium, they want "the guarantee of political sovereignty and technological independence, national and European, vis-à-vis the transnational companies currently leaders of the 5G market". Another request: the creation of "white areas", without waves emitted by any device whatsoever ".

Delphine Batho, EDS deputy (Ecology, Democracy, Solidarity), also called for a moratorium on 5G on July 7, wondering about the usefulness and the environmental impact of this technology.

The auctions for the allocation of the first 5G frequencies are to be held in September, paving the way for the first commercial offers in certain cities by the end of the year.

According to Orange CEO Stéphane Richard, 5G is "much better in terms of energy performance" than 4G.

© 2020 AFP