1. What are the emission levels from a typical radio base station?
The emission levels from a Vodafone radio base station depend on a number of factors, including the area the cell is designed to cover and the number of simultaneous calls it is designed to carry. Depending on the base station, power levels will normally be between two and 150 watts. Radiofrequency exposure levels from a typical Vodafone radio base station at ground level are normally 0.1 to 1 per cent of the Australian Communications and Media Authority's mandatory limits (the ARPANSA Standard).
2. If more than one carrier is sharing a site, are the emission levels increased?
Generally yes. A shared site will have higher emission levels. However, the regulations require cumulative assessments to be undertaken for all carriers on a shared site. The cumulative exposure levels for the general public at shared sites cannot exceed the limits set by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
3. When Vodafone 2100 (3G) antennas are added to an existing base station, do emissions increase?
As with a shared site, adding an additional Vodafone 2100 (3G) antenna will increase emissions slightly. But the resultant levels are still expected to be a fraction of the Australian Communications and Media Authority limits. The cell size for the Vodafone 2100 (3G) antenna is generally smaller and the cell size "shrinks" when in high use. Only very low levels of power are required to operate a 3G antenna.
4. Will you need a lot more sites for the new Vodafone 2100 (3G) network?
Much of the need for the newer high-speed equipment will be met by adapting the existing Vodafone network. Some new sites will be required but the majority of these will be located on existing structures such as buildings or poles.
5. Are the emission levels from base stations monitored by an independent body?
Yes. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) undertakes random audits of base stations as part of its regulatory function. The Australian Radiation Protection & Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) also periodically conducts a National survey of base stations and publishes the results on its website.
6. Can the emissions from a mobile phone base station affect the health of those nearby?
A lot of research has been done over the past five decades into the effects of radiofrequency (RF) signals. The weight of this research concludes that exposure to radiofrequency signals below recommended levels do not pose a risk to our health and wellbeing.
Australia's own health authority, the Australian Radiation Protection & Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) states that "the weight of National and International scientific opinion is that there is no substantiated evidence that living near a mobile phone antenna causes adverse health effects." (ARPANSA EME Series Fact Sheet 2, 2003)
The World Health Organization (WHO) has also concluded that "None of the recent reviews have concluded that exposure to RF fields from mobile phones or their base stations cause adverse health consequences. However, there are gaps in knowledge that have been identified for further research to better assess health risks." (WHO, June 2000 and reaffirmed Jan 2002)
Vodafone ensures base stations comply with the National and International guideline limits in all publicly accessible areas. Access is restricted and signage is used around base stations to indicate the very limited area immediately around an antenna where it is possible for exposures to be above the National and International guideline limits.
7. Why can't mobile phone base stations be sited away from residential areas?
For mobile networks to work, low powered base stations are required to be located in proximity to where people use their phones. In order to provide quality coverage, it is not always possible to locate a base station in areas far away from residences.
The idea of buffer zones around community sensitive sites, such as schools was evaluated by the Australian Communications Industry Forum in its Code for the Deployment of Mobile Network Infrastructure. It concluded:
"The Code does not, as was requested in some submissions, specify distances at which infrastructure must be sited from community sensitive locations. This decision was taken by the Committee on the basis than an arbitrary distance does not necessarily reflect a precautionary approach. For example, infrastructure sited further from a sensitive area may need to operate at a greater power in order to meet the Carrier's service requirements and this may result in higher exposures in the area." (Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF), Code for Deployment of Mobile Network Infrastructure, 2004)
8. How close can members of the general public get to a base station antenna and not exceed exposure limits?
Base stations are designed so that no member of the public would be able to gain access inadvertently to the limited area near the antenna where there is the possibility that exposure limits could be reached (generally less than 10m directly in front of the antenna devices for a macro or full size base station). It is important to remember that the pole or tower simply supports the antennas and does not emit radiofrequency signals. The nearby cabins housing electrical cabling and other equipment are not designed to emit radiofrequency signals.
9. Can you guarantee that living and working near a base station is 100% safe?
It is impossible to give such a guarantee about anything in life. In 1999, the UK House of Commons Science and Technology Committee explained that "no matter how much research is done, it will never be possible to prove that something is not harmful. Scientific research can say that there is no evidence of risk or it can demonstrate that any risk is very low, but it cannot produce evidence of no risk." (UK House of Commons Mobile Phones and Health,1999)
In May 2000, the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones (Stewart Enquiry) endorsed this view, stating that "some people propose that new developments should only be permitted when they have been shown to be completely safe, but this is unrealistic. Science can never provide a guarantee of zero risk." (Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones (IEGMP), Stewart Report, 2000)
Whilst science cannot provide a zero risk guarantee, Vodafone supports independent quality research and the continued monitoring and health assessment by recognised expert groups such as the World Health Organization Electromagnetic Fields Project.
10. How can anyone be sure that research will not show in years to come that mobile phone antenna systems are harmful to health?
Research into the effects of radiofrequency signals goes back more than five decades years and this enormous body of research has been analysed by scientists from all over the world. The consensus of opinion is that there is no substantiated evidence linking adverse health effects to mobile phone technologies within internationally recognised guidelines.
The UK Health Protection Agency (previously called the NRPB) reviewed the conclusions of more than 20 expert reviews published since the 2000 Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones (Stewart report):
"Since [the Stewart Report], the widespread developments in the use of mobile phones world-wide has not been accompanied by associated, clearly established increases in adverse health effects. Within the UK, there is a lack of hard information showing that the mobile phone systems in use are damaging to health. It is important to emphasise this crucial point." (UK NRPB, Mobile Phones and Health, 2004).
It is worth noting that when exposure guidelines are defined, they are based on preventing a known adverse health effect to which additional safety factors are added. People should also keep in mind that when scientists or expert groups refer to a biological effect, this does not necessarily mean an adverse health effect. For example, drinking a glass of water or even listening to music will produce a biological effect and we experience these effects throughout our lives. Indeed, vision is a biological effect based on the eye detecting radiofrequency signals at frequencies higher than those used for radio communications.
11. Who can I ask for an independent view on the safety of mobile phone base stations?
The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) provides advice to the general public on such issues. Their website offers a series of electromagnetic emission fact sheets that cover the Radiofrequency Exposure Standard, public health issues related to electro magnetic emission, mobile phone networks and base stations, broadcast towers, potential interference issues, mobile phones and children and Australian research into electro magnetic emission (EME).
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) also deals with enquiries from the general public about the use of radio and interference issues.
12. Will a base station interfere with other electrical equipment - for example my computer or television?
There are National and International standards governing all forms of electronic equipment regarding the interference that such equipment produces and, in turn, its immunity to interference from outside. Any equipment compliant with these standards is unlikely to suffer or cause interference.
However, if a member of the public contacts Vodafone on a matter of interference in relation to its base stations, Vodafone will investigate the matter and take appropriate action if required. The Australian Communications and Media Authority will also investigate issues raised regarding interference in its management of the radiofrequency spectrum.
13. Will a mobile phone base station affect hospital equipment? Why are we told not to use mobile phones in hospitals?
A mobile phone base station, whether nearby or on the hospital roof, should not interfere with any equipment. Vodafone carries out special field strength studies in hospitals to make sure emissions are even lower that those recommended in the National and International standards. A study by the UK Medical Devices Agency found no significant levels of interference to medical devices from mobile phone base stations. (MDA Device Bulletin DB9702: Electromagnetic compatibility of Medical Devices with Mobile Communications, 1997)
In most areas of a hospital, mobile phones do not pose any problems. However, using a mobile phone close to some sensitive electronic devices could possibly result in interference.
Further Information
If you have any concerns regarding mobile phones and mobile base-stations, we encourage you to seek independent expert opinion. Below are some organisations that may be able to help. Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA)
For further information, please contact
