3G Mobile Transmitters Emit Low Levels of Radiated Power

Consumer information about the known effects of emissions from 3G mobile phone facilities has been published by the Australian Communications Authority (ACA) and the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA).

The ACA's Acting Chairman, Dr Robert Horton, said that the information explains what is known about the effects on human health of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) produced by 3G transmitters, including base stations and handsets.

"The fact sheet also covers what is being done to protect the health of people in Australia by regulating these emissions," Dr Horton said.

"The ACA and ARPANSA want to allay any community concern arising from the introduction into Australia of 3G mobile phone networks, which support video and data calls in addition to the services supported by other mobile networks.

"The emission levels produced by 3G transmitters are considered to be low, with an average radiated power of around 3 watts. This average power is significantly lower than the power levels of some other common types of transmitters, such as two-way radios used by taxis and emergency services.

"For example, on average, a 3G mobile phone base station antenna radiates a little more than one tenth of the power of a taxi's two-way radio," Dr Horton added.

"By using smart technology to encode information on the radio signal and smaller cells, 3G networks need lower antenna power than other transmitters.

"Through the use of adaptive power control-a technique that continually adjusts radiated power levels to the lowest level necessary-radiated power levels are further regulated.

"With this technology, 3G handsets operate at the lowest power necessary for good communications, which is usually lower than the power levels of GSM and CDMA systems."

The ACA recently introduced new limits for human exposure to EMR based on a standard developed by ARPANSA. The limits incorporate significant safety margins and are set well below the emission levels that have been shown to have health effects. All mobile phone transmitters and antennas in Australia must comply with these limits.

An ARPANSA study at a site at Burwood, Victoria, published in 2000, found that AM radio contributed more than 90 per cent of the community's overall environmental exposure to radiofrequency emissions. Digital mobile phone base stations were however found to contribute only 1.4 per cent of the total radiation exposure."

Posted to the site on 14th January 2004