Need for a Science & Evidence Based Policy

Need for a Science & Evidence Based
Policy

Jack Rowley, PhD,
Senior Director Research & Sustainability
GSM Association

New Delhi, India
8 February 2012

© GSM Association 2012
J. Rowley, February 2012

Mobile Services Need Mobile Networks
India – Mobile Connections

About 900 million

2000 2012 2016

National infrastructure
deployed locally.

1

Mobile Networks Are Low Power

 More base stations provide:

– More coverage.

– More capacity.

– Higher data rates.

Power is limited to avoid interference.

2

Networks – Exposure Trends
1.E+03 ICNIRP Public @ 900 MHz 80 80
77
74
1.E+02
71 70
Subscriber growth.
microwatts per square centimetre

68
1.E+01
62
60
1.E+00

Subscribers (millions)
54
51 50
1.E-01 47

1.E-02 40

1.E-03
30

1.E-04
Average annual exposure.
20
1.E-05

10
1.E-06

1.E-07 0
UK (2001) UK (2002) UK (2003) UK (2004) UK (2005) UK (2006) UK (2007) UK (2008) UK (2009)
Country (years)

Measured average exposure in the UK unchanged.

Source: GSMA analysis, OFCOM
3
and Wireless Intelligence data.

Non-ICNIRP Limits Do Not Mean Lower Exposure

Netherlands
Belgium
GSM900 limit (ICNIRP) = 41 V/m
GSM900 limit = 3 V/m
Measured average = 0.38 V/m
Measured average = 0.93 V/m

0.01% of limit
9.5% of limit

Wout et al., 2012.
4

Precautionary Measures = Increased Concern

 Study conducted in Australia, Brazil, India, Japan, Germany, The
Netherlands, South Africa, UK and USA.
– Dr Rajesh Shukla (National Council of Applied Economic Research, Delhi)
◄ Less concern More concern ►
Base station information

Precautionary limits

Protect sensitive areas

Minimise exposure

All precautionary measures increased concern.
Wiedemann, 2011
5

Exposure Reduces Rapidly with Increased Distance

Distance x 2

Exposure ÷ 4 Public limit
Worker limit

Less than 1% of limit

Compliance zones near to the antennas.

6

Lower Limits Mean Larger
Compliance Distances…
Exposure limit ÷10

Distance x3.2 Public limit
Worker limit

…unless power reduced.

Less than 1% of limit

Compliance zones larger for restrictive limits.

7

Effect of Power Reductions on Coverage
Current Power Reduced More Antennas

Continuous coverage Gaps in coverage Similar coverage

Typical exposure levels unchanged.


8

Impact of So-called Exclusion Zones

Example of Berlin
Proposed policy -
Kindergartens, schools,
hospitals (circles with a
radius of 300 m)

Policy not adopted.

Orange areas are projected gaps in mobile coverage.
J. Rowley, February 2012 Copyright: T-Mobile 2001,
© infas Geodaten GmbH, Bonn,
ATKIS ® DTK25 © Landesverm. 9

Media Interest and Public Concern

Wiedemann, 2011
10

Relationship between Policies and Public Concern

Stricter legal safety
standards (limits, 2010

Data-source: Special Eurobarometer 347, 2010, p. 66;
exclusion zones)
66% - 100%

Strong precautionary 46% - 65%
advice by
governments 31% - 45%

0% - 30%

presentation by GSMA Europe
ICNIRP
Compliance
Communications


11

Comparison of EMF Limits – Base Stations
Actual Regulatory Limit
Confirmed 2009.

Updated Canada, ICES (ICNIRP) since 2009.
Updated Australia, ICNIRP since 2003.
Updated Belgium regions vary 0.045 to 1.125 W/m2
Council policy New Zealand, ICNIRP since 1999.
Luxembourg=0.024 W/m2

Council policy China=0.4 W/m2; France, ICNIRP since 2002.
Switzerland, ICNIRP + sensitive areas, 2000.

NGO position Germany, ICNIRP
Italy=0.1 W/m2 in areas >4hours since 2003.
Russia=0.1 W/m2; Hungary, ICNIRP
Council policy Austria, ICNIRP
NGO position Germany, ICNIRP

Council policy Australia, ICNIRP since 2003.


12

Harmonise with International EMF Policy

India should contribute to international activities.

13

RF Policy Principles

 Governments:
– Evidence based limits and consistent mast policy.
– Avoid policies that create alarm.
– Communicate using trusted health agencies.

 Industry:
– Demonstrate compliance with limits.
– Improve dialogue and design practices.
– Active partner in communication.


14

Responding to Public Concern

 Perception is reality.

 Trust first, then information.

 Listen.

© GSM Association 2012 http://www.gsma.com/documents/risk-
communication-guide-for-mobile-phones-
and-base-stations/18528 15

Established Risk
Obey the law.

Be responsible.

Don’t text.

http://www.michellehenry.fr/tel.htm
16

Health Benefits

 About a quarter of UK calls to ambulances come from mobile phones.
– ‘Mobile phone compared to landline reporting of emergencies resulted in
significant reductions in the risk of death at the scene.’
– Equivalent to 137 fewer deaths at scene per 100,000 patients.

 Mobile healthcare opportunity:
– 59% of Indians interested in remote health monitoring (McKinsey, 2009).
– Health lines, monitoring, emergency, data, remote diagnostics, counterfeit
drugs, maternal care, rural care, disease rates and many more.

17

Summary

 Adopt evidence based policy:
– WHO/ITU recommended (ICNIRP) limits.
– IEC/ITU compliance standards.
– Trusted communications.

 Avoid:
– Policies that increase concern.

 Recommendation:
– Establish working group of Indian and international
scientists.

18

Thank You

 Contact: Dr Jack Rowley

 Job title: Senior Director

Research & Sustainability

 email address:

jrowley@gsm.org

 Tel: +353 86 806 0849

 Website:

www.gsma.com/health


19

Need for a Science & Evidence Based Policy

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