Glastonbury is one of the biggest music festivals in the world, making it the perfect place for EE to test its 5G network.

While the 5G network is supposed to make it easier for festival goers to get online, it seems that many residents of the local town are sceptical of the service.

Several petitions have appeared on Change.org, urging for 5G to be banned at the festival.

It appears that those behind the petitions are concerned about the safety of the new technology.

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Image:
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One petition , called ‘Public Petition Against 5G Frequency Emissions in Glastonbury Town’ has already been signed by 1,381 people (at the time of writing).

The petition wrote: “It is indeed extremely likely to cause significant health issues for the people who have exposure to it, with unknown long term into the future health effects and especially for the young children of this current time.”

Meanwhile, another alarmist petition called "Stop the trial of 5G at Glastonbury Festival 2019", claims that 5G waves could "interact directly with the skin and sweat glands."

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Despite these concerns, there’s little evidence to suggest that 5G is harmful.

"A considerable amount of research has been carried out on radio waves," said Digital minster Margot James.

"Public Health England have concluded that exposures of radio waves to the public are well within the international health-related guideline levels that are used in the UK."

Professor Malcolm Sperrin, Director of the Department of Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, added: “There has been no evidence to suggest that electromagnetic waves from mobile phones and networks are bad for your health."

Festival goers wade through the deep mud at the Glastonbury Festival (
Image:
Getty)

However, other experts claim that further research is needed.

Rob Baillie, a mobile comms expert at www.comparemymobile.com, said: “Whilst it is great that EE and Glastonbury are working on this new technology, there are concerns for those who live in Glastonbury and suffer from electrosensitivity.

“Indeed, although the real side effects of the technology are still unknown, residents may end up suffering side effects from the 5G masts.”