SAMENA Council calls for action on Radio Frequency Exposure

The South Asia, Middle East, North Africa Region’s SAMENA Telecommunications Council has called for urgent action to address the hazards of Human Radio Frequency (RF) exposure through a three-step comprehensive approach of evaluation of safe limits, standardization of those limits in line with forthcoming World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations and global compliance in a world where mobile telecommunication networks are expanding at a frenetic pace.      

In a study that outlined the framework for supporting global initiatives on RF exposure and setting the limits for such exposure, the Council assessed the current situation and existing exposure limits in other global markets as well as guidelines by the WHO on what constitutes safe exposure. Observing the state of affairs at present, the study pointed out that the current concern about the matter has been driven by anecdotal exchange of information, linking telecommunications exposure to health issues. Such concerns, it added, might also be attributed to differences in science-based standards that govern RF exposure as well as health concepts and traditions, which may differ from region to region. As the world’s increasing dependence on mobile telecommunications increases the need for greater network coverage, higher capacity, and better quality of service, so does the density of coverage and the exposure of people to more RF energy.

According to Bocar A. Ba, CEO, Samena Telecommunications Council, "While there are recommendations from WHO on existing exposure limit guidelines, discrepancies in RF exposure standards and adopted RF exposure policies continue to exist. To address this issue, we recommend a comprehensive research based three-step process for addressing the RF issue through a deeper and more conclusive monitoring of the effects of RF exposure to set uniform exposure level norms across the region. To initiate this, we urge all stakeholders to collaboratively initiate an investigation via further cooperation with the GSMA and the Mobile Manufacturers Forum (MMF) as global trade associations with particular experience of addressing the RF issue for the greater benefit of the telecom industry, the consumers, and the environment of this region.”

The principal recommendations of the council are as follows:

Investigate human RF exposure through extensive research and by evaluating existing expert reviews by independent public health agencies to be able to address stakeholders’ concerns.

Advocate for the adoption of science‐based and harmonized policies, standards, and regulations based on WHO recommendations.

Ensure compliance of RF networks and devices with exposure requirements. 

Sherif Issa – Head of Health and Environment department in Mobinil and GSMA’s Health Policy Group Deputy Chair said: “I was delighted to participate in developing such a rich, yet brief and straightforward document from the SAMENA Council. Just what we need in our busy world. By addressing key RF issues and providing the essential numbers in a nutshell, this document stands as an excellent guide for anyone working in the mobile industry, focus groups and the general public”. 

In its observations on the state of RF exposure limits and compliance in the region, the Council said while standardised RF exposure levels and regulations have yet to be adopted within the South Asia–Middle East–North Africa region, regulatory bodies have taken the initiative to draw attention to this subject area. These include the Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Pakistan and Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRA) in Bahrain, to name a few.

All regional players, regardless of their size, bear the responsibility of investigating all issues that concern consumer or environmental well-being, the Council said, as well as ensuring compliance with international recommendations.

The study concluded by noting that the SAMENA Council supports initiatives that effectively evaluate compliance with exposure limits and address public concern while simultaneously ensuring that RF exposure due to antenna sites or handsets is required by design to work within the relevant international recommendations.