A government committee, including representatives from the Department of Telecommunications and the Ministry of Health, has recommended increasing electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation from mobile towers to more than ten times the current limit, aligning with the 2020 norms of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).
This recommendation aims to improve network coverage in the country and reduce the need for installing more towers. The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), lobbying for the telecom industry, had also advocated for similar measures, stating that ICNIRP criteria are safe. Questions have been raised regarding the potential impact of increased radiation on children, pregnant women, and animals, which the government panel has addressed.
EMF Radiation Assurance
The panel asserts that increasing the radiation limit from mobile towers by ten times will not harm people, children, pregnant women, or animals. This will enhance mobile network performance without the need for additional tower installations. However, the panel also cautions that this could increase public concerns, acknowledging that people may not fully trust the outcome despite the government committee recommending a tenfold increase in electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation in its report.
Health Concerns and Inspections
Some people believe that radiation poses a health risk. The government wants to alleviate these concerns by ensuring cost-effective inspections of mobile towers. In India, there is already a law stipulating very low radiation levels from towers, significantly below ICNIRP standards. However, mobile companies argue that such low radiation limits could hinder phone network performance, necessitating the installation of more towers.
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COAI’s Director General, Retired Lieutenant General SP Kochhar, told Times of India that the issue of radiation from telecom towers, no matter how minimal, has always been highly sensitive. Several local residents and pressure groups have filed lawsuits against installing towers due to concerns. Numerous cases across the country have led to companies removing towers because of petitions or protests.
5G Impact and Regulations
COAI’s Director General, Retired Lieutenant General SP Kochhar, warns that if the regulations governing Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) emitted from mobile towers, as per ICNIRP standards, are not revised, it could impact the speed and quality of 5G in India. He emphasizes that this could result in slower internet speeds, poor network performance, and weaker signals. Kochhar notes that ICNIRP regulations are already implemented in countries like England, United Arab Emirates, Australia, Ireland, Egypt, Uganda, and Saudi Arabia. COAI has submitted a proposal regarding this issue to Telecom Secretary Neeraj Mittal.
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