Vodafone's Commitment to Independent Field Monitoring
At Vodafone we recognise that some people want to know the radiofrequency (RF) field strength levels from base stations in their environment. In recognition of this, Vodafone companies world-wide have made a commitment to make available up-to-date information regarding radio frequency (RF) field strength values from locations that have been selected by an independent body, such as local or national government.
Vodafone Australia meets this commitment in the following way:
a. For each base station, Vodafone Australia uses a NATA accredited organisation to produce an Environmental EME report and makes this information available on the publicly accessible National Site Archive (NSA) website - www.rfnsa.com.au
b. Vodafone undertakes an annual audit of Vodafone base station sites. These are independently selected by the Australian Centre for Radiofrequency Bioeffects Research (ACRBR).
The Environmental EME Report
The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) has developed a standardised industry methodology for monitoring and reporting on the existing and predicted EME levels of base stations from carriers.
This methodology is used to keep the community informed about existing base stations and proposals under the Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF) Code for Deployment of Mobile Phone Network Infrastructure.
RF exposure levels are calculated by considering factors such as power output, cable loss, antenna gain, path loss, and height and distance from the source. The exposure calculations must take into account RF transmitters from all telecommunications carriers at the site. The cumulative calculations are given as a percentage of the ARPANSA Standard, which is the Australian Communications and Media Authority's (ACMA) general public exposure limit.
Since the introduction of the ACIF Code in 2002 (and revised Code in 2004), Vodafone Australia has progressively uploaded the National Site Archive and has completed more than 95% of Environmental EME Reports for base stations which are occupied by Vodafone. If a member of the public seeks an Environmental EME report that has not yet been uploaded onto the National Site Archive, Vodafone will produce that individual report upon request.
2005 & 2006 Environmental SurveySurveys of RF fields around Vodafone Base Stations
Vodafone commissioned Kordia (previously named THL) Australia to undertake the 2005 and 2006 measurement surveys of radiofrequency field strengths around Vodafone base stations. The survey methodology and results were checked and reviewed by the Australian Centre for Radiofrequency Bioeffects Research (ACRBR) who were also responsible for independently selecting the site locations.
Click here for the 2006 Vodafone Australia survey results.
Click here for the 2005 Vodafone Australia survey results.
Further Information
Monitoring of RF Field Strengths around base stations has been undertaken in many countries. Below are some organisations' websites that conduct these activities.
