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By CHRISTINE PAKAKOTA
RADIATION from telecommunication towers and mobile phone base station
antennas is very low and does not pose any immediate health risks to
people.
This was the assurance given by the Papua New Guinea Radiocommunications
and Telecommunication Technical Authority (Pangtel) and the Independent
Consumer and Competition Commission in an advertisement yesterday in
reference to concerns raised regarding the use of telecommunication
towers and base station antennas by mobile phone operators.
The advertisement said based on studies and evidence, the World Health
Organisation had concluded that radiation emitted did not pose any
serious health risks.
The advertisement was part of the public awareness on the highly
unlikely case of death occurring from the use of mobile phones.
An industry source said: “Much of this is due to ignorance as there is a
very big difference between the tower and the actual antenna that is
mounted on the top, usually about 10 or more meters above ground,” the
source said.
“You know the tower is easily visible, thus the panic.”
The source said most inquiries mixed land acquisition, a responsibility
which does not fall under Pangtel, with the building of towers, and
antennas.
The source said Pangtel had certain standards for repeater site
management, which also deploy towers and is currently working on a
standard that addresses radiation concerns from antennas.
Pangtel is understood to be currently updating the relevant technical
requirements to ensure compliance consistency with globally accepted
practices.
“In the meantime, the public is advised not to panic and interfere with
such installations but to register their concerns with Pangtel,” the
advertisement read.
 
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