The Hindu Business Line : Mobile players oppose regulation on radiation

New Delhi, June 6 The Cellular Operators Association of India has opposed a Government proposal to make it mandatory for mobile phone manufacturers to specify the radiation levels (SAR) emitted by the device on the handset’s screen menu.

The Department of Telecom is considering a proposal to adopt the guidelines prescribed by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) which lays down the basic restrictions and reference levels for limiting exposure to electromagnetic radiations from mobile base stations and handsets

For handsets, SAR (specific absorption rate) is an indication of the amount of radiation that is absorbed by body while using a mobile phone. This is measured in watts per kilogram (W/kg) and the higher the SAR rating, the more is the radiation absorbed. ICNIRP has stipulated that manufacturers must ensure that the maximum SAR level of a cell phone does not exceed 2W/kg. Since every handset has its own SAR levels, DoT is considering make it mandatory for handset manufacturers to display the radiation levels on mobile phones through the menu options, making it easier for consumers to know the exact levels for each mobile device before purchase.

No display on menu

In a letter to DoT, the GSM operators said that while the Government should implement the norms specified by ICNIRP, it should not insist on making SAR part of the handset menu, “In this regard we wish to bring to kind attention that most of the handsets sold in India comply with the global emission norms, and their SAR values are displayed either in the device manual, or on the Web site of mobile manufacturer. Hence the display of SAR values through menu options on screen is not required.”

Tower radiation

COAI has also opposed a move from DoT to set up a Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) which will measure radiation from mobile base stations and provide certifications to the operators.

There are over 3 lakh mobile towers in the country, which is known to emit electromagnetic radiation. Cellular operators maintain that the level of radiation at any tower is under permissible levels and the assessment body will only result in delays.

“We believe that such a measure will be a highly retrograde step as it will not only result in undue delays, duplications of efforts but will also add significantly to the costs of the operators, neither of which are desirable in an environment where aggressive rollout and growth of service at the most affordable tariffs is the need of the hour. It is, therefore, submitted that the ICNIRP guidelines should be followed by all operators on a self-certification basis,” COAI said in a letter to DoT.

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