A UNIVERSITY lecturer has said new superfast internet will be even safer than its predecessor.

The new wireless internet called 5G will start to be deployed from 2020 and will be 20 times faster than its predecessor.

That will enable many uses that sound like science fiction today.

The new technology will let us stream in virtual reality, enable reliable autonomous driving, give us the possibility of holographic communications and provide enough connectively to support one million devices per square metre.

But some people are arguing the new technology is dangerous and “Stop 5G” graffiti has been spotted on Brighton seafront.

The superfast internet will make use of higher frequencies which may not be able to pass through some physical barriers.

Because of this, the masts will have to be put closer to the devices and could be placed on street furniture like benches and lampposts.

Activists are convinced that the high frequencies and closer masts will cause adverse biological effects.

But professor Maziar Nekovee from the University of Sussex who is spearheading pioneering research in the field believes there is nothing to worry about.

He said: “4G technology has been tested and certified as being a safe technology.

“With improved features including energy efficacy and the use of smaller masts, 5G will be even safer than 4G.”

The current fastest mobile networks offer about 45 megabits per second, 5G will offer 1,000 megabits per second.

That means fixed lines like fibre optic could be a thing of the past.

All current phones are not compatible with the technology, but many mobiles set for release in 2019 are said to be 5G ready.

Because the world is increasingly going mobile, existing frequency bands are becoming congested.

This is leading to breakdowns in service, particularly when many people are using the service in one area at one time.

Maziar Nekovee and his team at Sussex University have been researching 5G’s indoor coverage.

He said: “Through our measurement campaigns on campus we have collected a massive amount of data.

“This has helped us determine how factors like obstruction by trees, windows and walls impact coverage in the newly assigned 5G bands.”