The Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology (ictQATAR) has launched a campaign to ensure that health and safety standards are fully met for radio frequency emissions from 2G and 3G mobile network base stations.
In 2010, ictQATAR and the Ministry of Environment developed comprehensive emission standards for mobile network base stations based on standards set forth by International Commission for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), which are recognized and adopted by World Health Organizations (WHO). The tests will be conducted across the country, with more than 70 sites having already been tested in 2012.
“ictQATAR recognizes that there is considerable concern about the safety of emissions from mobile network base stations located on towers and buildings and has worked with the Ministry of Environment to ensure the highest international standards are met in Qatar. The standards we collaboratively developed protect everyone from any health or safety risks resulting from radio frequency emissions. In testing the compliance of service providers in meeting those standards, we are ensuring that the health and well-being of everyone living in Qatar is put first when making mobile network technology advancement decisions,” said Saleh Al-Kuwari, ictQATAR Regulatory Authority Technical Manager.
The tests are being carried out by a leading international firm to ensure that the findings are independent and not biased in any way. There are currently 1,300 mobile base stations in Qatar and numbers are growing. IctQATAR aims to test all sites within four years. The emission testing includes a wideband testing, and at some sites a comprehensive narrowband testing where individual frequencies and field strengths of each emission present are measured individually to ensure overall measurement accuracy. Results of the site testing will be published upon completion.
“As Qatar continues its progression to being one of the most networked nations in the world and citizens continue to demand the latest technologies, including 4G, more mobile base stations will need to be installed. The public can be confident that ictQATAR is committed to meeting the very highest safety standards,” added Al-Kuwari.