Organises webinar on Electromagnetic Radiations from Mobile Towers
Agency
SHILLONG, November 24 2022: Department of Telecommunications (DoT), North-East License Service Area (LSA) Thursday organised an awareness webinar on “Electromagnetic Radiations from Mobile Towers”. This session was organized as part of DoT’s public advocacy program to make consumers aware of the growing need for mobile towers to build reliable telecom infrastructure and breaking myths regarding the alleged ill effects of EMF exposure from mobile towers.
The webinar workshop was addressed by eminent key speakers including Ravi Goel, Senior DDG, DoT, North-East LSA; AK Jain, DDG (Compliance), DoT, NE LSA, Shillong; PC Sharma, Director (Compliance), DoT, NE LSA and Dr Tushar Kant Joshi, Advisor, Ministry of Health and Director, OEM Programme, Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health. The workshop had around 200 participants including the general public, government officials, residents’ welfare associations, students, doctors, telecom service providers, infrastructure providers, and other officials.
Ravi Goel, Senior DDG, DoT, North-East LSA, Shillong highlighted the need for telecom services in India and pressed on the challenges faced by the stakeholders of the industry. He mentioned, “In this era of fast advancing digital technology, mobile users have a right to enjoy the benefits of telecommunication services in a seamless manner. We are venturing into an age of hyper connectivity where the government is making every effort to dandify telecom infrastructure and telecom towers are the backbone of Indian Mobile communications. In order to magnify the efforts, it is important that the fear surrounding the theories about ill effects of EMF radiations from mobile towers is addressed factually to dispel such misconceptions.”
Briefing at the EMF Awareness Workshop AK Jain, DDG (Compliance), DoT, NE LSA said “The Government of India has adopted one of the most stringent emission standards for mobile towers in the world. We follow norms that are 10 times stricter than what has been prescribed by ICNIRP and recommended by WHO globally. DoT continuously monitors the EMF emission levels from towers across India and ensures compliance with the stipulated emission norms throughout the country.’’ NE LSA has tested 1532 BTSs from April 2022 to November 2022 and all the BTSs have been found compliant as per DoT Norms. It was also mentioned that unscrupulous companies/ agencies/individuals cheat general public by promising them hefty monthly rental payments for installation of mobile towers etc.
Such fraudsters ask public to deposit money in their personal / companies account under various names against security deposit/ application fee/ registration charges/ stamp duty / government tax under Telecom Act etc. in the name of DoT/ TRAI etc. After collecting the money these agencies vanish and become untraceable. Such fraudsters are liable to be prosecuted under applicable laws. If any person comes across any such fraudulent activities, then they may report the incident to local police authorities. Further, it was also highlighted that use of telecom services through SIM cards and signals of foreign service providers in Indian Territory violates the Indian Telegraph Act 1885 and persons involved in such types of acts are liable to punishment as per provisions of Indian Telegraph Act 1885 and other applicable Act/ Rules. Public is therefore advised not to use such unauthorized telecom services through SIM cards and signals of foreign service providers in Indian Territory.
Dr Tushar Kant Joshi, Advisor, Ministry of Health and Director, OEM Programme, Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health also shared his perspective and said, “The EMF radiation is low non-ionizing RF/Electromagnetic energy emitted from mobile tower antennae and mobile handsets. Scientific research has found that low-powered, non-ionizing radiation emitted from cell towers has no ill effects on human health, whatsoever. Therefore, it becomes extremely essential to address the spread of misinformation and provide an authentic view of health concerns related to mobile towers. It is also important to be informed that no scientific or medical evidence is available to corroborate the argument used against mobile towers.’’
India holds the potential to lead the telecommunications technology sector across the globe. Misconceptions among a section of the state population around the health hazards of EMF radiation should not override the factual information made available through scientific research. Telecom towers are critical installations for the realization of the vision of Gati Shakti and Digital India mission of the Government.
EMF radiations from mobile towers are strictly monitored and assessed on a regular basis. Evidence from credible and extensive research has ruled out any possibility of health issues originating from such EMF radiations. Moreover, eight High Courts of India have also upheld the same view and have delivered judgments that disprove all such unfounded fears and misguided activism that is posing a severe challenge to the overall growth and connectivity of the country. Hence, people need to be assured that any fear around mobile towers lack scientific/factual foundation.
All the information on mobile tower radiation is available for the public on DoT’s website https://dot.gov.in/journey-emf and portal http://tarangsanchar.gov.in/EMFportal, where any citizen can also request for testing of any mobile tower in their vicinity by paying a nominal fee.