The Fact Maker

Awareness Webinar on EMF Radiation organized by Dept. of Telecommunications, Telangana LSA

‘Hyderabad Unit and Vijayawada unit of AP LSA has done EMF testing of  overall 85,626Base Transceiver Units/Mobile towers of various Telecom service providers(TSPs) across the state till September 2021 that were found within norms’

Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Telangana License Service Area (LSA) organized an “Awareness Webinar on EMF Radiation” on October 13, 2021. Andhra Pradesh has 81,882 Base Transceiver Units/Mobile towers (BTS) whereas Telangana has 87,960 Base Transceiver Units/Mobile towers (BTS) as on 30-09-2021. ‘Hyderabad Unit and Vijayawada unit of AP LSA has done EMF testing of  overall 85,626 Base Transceiver Units/Mobile towers of various Telecom service providers(TSPs) across the state till September 2021 that were found within norms’

India is celebrating 75th year of Independence as AzadiKaAmritMahotsav and this session was organized as part of DoT’s public advocacy programme to commemorate the monumental occasion and to build a new Atmanirbhar Bharat by ensuring a robust telecom network with state of art technology and the best quality of service. The session helps in making aware the general public regarding the need for mobile towers and disproves theories surrounding the harmful radiation from mobile towers to address unfounded fears of citizens by presenting credible scientific evidence.

An expert panel comprising of senior officers from the telecom department along with a doctor discussed the concerns put forth by citizens while also disproving myths and misinformation related to health hazards related to the radiation from mobile towers.

The webinar was attended by Addl Collectors of Telangana, Senior Officers from Telangana & Andhra Pradesh, Residential Welfare Associations, general public, college faculty & students, telecom service providers, infrastructure providers, and other officials.ShriG.V.RamanaRao, ITS-DDG-Compliance Telangana, AP LSA ,DoTwelcomed the notable key speakers at the event who were ShriNizamulHaq, ITSAdvisor – DoT- APLSA HyderabadShri Ashok Kumar-ITS, Sr DDG, DoT, APLSAShri Robert Ravi, ITS ,DDG-Compliance, Vijayawada,APLSA, DoT, Hyderabad, Dr. VivekTandonAssistant Professor of Neurosurgery Department of Neurosurgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences and Prof DrKirankumarKuchi Dean – R&D- Electrical Engineering –IIT Hyderabad, Telangana

Addressing the webinar, ShriNizamulHaq, ITSAdvisor, DoT- APLSA mentioned, “Telecommunications is a key instrument of citizen empowerment and an effective tool for a nation’s socioeconomic development.It has evolved into the critical infrastructure for the rapid growth and modernization of numerous economic sectors. To provide the greatest possible telecommunications service to customers, mobile network development, including tower infrastructure, is unavoidable.”

Following the same, ShriNizamulHaq, ITSAdvisor, DoT- APLSA said, “The Webinar will dispel myths about EMF radiations and their impact on health, removing any impediment to the development of mobile towers and telecommunication infrastructure that will assure the best quality of services and network coverage for all.”

While giving an outline of the telecommunication services and highlighting the key issues faced by the stakeholders, Shri Ashok Kumar-ITS, Sr DDG, DoT, APLSA mentioned, “Mobile towers are essential for smooth connectivity. We’ve met here today to debunk myths and share accurate facts about radiation emitted by cellulartowers.The truth is that EMF radiation has no effect on human health at all. Based on our thorough research on EMF signals, we have determined that cell tower radiation does not pose any health risks. ”

As part of his presentation on EMF radiation, Shri Robert Ravi ITS,DDG, Compliance, Vijayawada,APLSA, DoT Hyderabad discussed the need of mobile phones in our lives and development of the country. He gave the overview of low-level Electro Magnetic field emanation from mobile towers. He continued the presentation and said, “EMF radiation is a non-ionizing, low-energy RF/Electromagnetic energy released by mobile tower antennas and mobile handsets.According to extant scientific information, studies, and publications, there is no definitive evidence of the purported threat of EMF radiation from mobile towers.” All telecom service providers ensure that radiation from mobile towers (BTSs) is below the safe limits set by the DoT and submit self-certification to the respective DoT.Furthermore, EMF emissions from mobile towers are below the safe limits prescribed by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), and there is no convincing scientific evidence that they cause adverse health effects.

Dr. VivekTandonAssistant Professor of Neurosurgery Department of Neurosurgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences mentioned, “Scientific research demonstrates that these radiations have no negative effects on human health.Citizens must understand that mobile tower EMF radiation is being thoroughly monitored nowadays, and evidence from trustworthy sources has ruled out the likelihood of health risks caused by EMF radiations.”

While giving an over view on radiation, Prof DrKirankumarKuchi Dean – R&D- Electrical Engineering –IIT Hyderabad, Telangana said, “Various High Courts of India judgments on the topic of radiation from mobile towers state that there is no conclusive data to prove that radiation from mobile towers is in any way damaging or hazardous to citizens’ health.”

It is important for citizens to understand today that mobile tower EMF radiation are being strictly monitored and evidence from credible sources have ruled out possibility of any impending health issues emanating from EMF radiations. Eight High Courts of India have also upheld this view and have delivered judgments that seek to dispel all such unfounded fears and such misguided activism is posing challenges in the growth of the economy and connectivity.

Therefore, the misconception among a section of the population in Telangana around health hazards from EMF emissions must not be accounted for and installation of towers should be allowed and prioritised in their respective localities. The Government of India follows norms that are 10 times stricter than what has been prescribed by ICNIRP and recommended by WHO. Regular checks are also done to ensure that all telecom service providers are adhering to the regulations set by the Government.

DoT is fully committed and equipped to facilitate the compliance of guidelines that are designed to safeguard beloved citizens from any risk of EMF exposure. People must be informed and assured that there is no threat to their health from mobile towers.

During the Q&A session, the panelists highlighted that mobile connectivity is the need of the hour for every section of society. It is an integral component of the Government’s vision for ‘Digital India.’ The panel discussion closed with a vote of thanks by By M Arvind Kumar, Director( Compliance), APLSA, Hyderabad.

For towers, emission check: Go to http://tarangsanchar.gov.in/EMFportal