I recently came across a new high-speed wireless development that promises over 10Gbps of bandwidth, or some 100-times the speed of current Wi-Fi networks. While existing Wi-Fi operates at 2.4GHz frequency, this new technology uses 60GHz millimetre wave radio technology. What’s interesting about 60GHz is its oxygen absoption properties: 60GHz electromagnetic energy is absorbed by oxygen molecules much like a piece of food in a microwave oven.

IBM announced new microprocessor chipsets that can wireless transfer HD video between computers, handheld devices and televisions. This will enable our homes and offices to be rid of cumbersome wires that connect between HD set-top boxes, HD TV, computers, etc.

I wonder if this would set off new health concerns. Already we have some people scared stiff by mobile phones (850MHz to 1.9GHz) and 802.11 Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz), neither of which are commonly known to have any interaction with oxygen molecules. (Though in perspective, the electromagnetic energy from microwave ovens operate at 2.45GHz.)

The 60GHz radio isn’t all that new, however. It is apparently also beamed between satellites for covert operations. Imagine, when 60GHz starts getting beamed all over your house… isn’t that kind of walking into a sort of microwave oven?

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