The Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) and the Communication Regulatory Authority (CRA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to co-operate in monitoring the non-ionizing radiation levels of communication stations and towers for Qatar's mobile communication service providers. The aim of this MoU is to enhance joint government work and support environmental development in the country, which is one of the four key pillars of the Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV 2030).
The MoU was signed by His Excellency Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Rumaihi, Minister of Municipality and Environment, and His Excellency Mohammed Ali Al-Mannai, President of CRA. The MoU paves the way for joint cooperation in various areas, including approvals for communication stations and towers of mobile service providers, and handling the complaints related to radiation levels.
“CRA welcomes the signing of the MoU with the MME, it will enhance the ongoing cooperation between CRA, MME and all relevant entities to contribute to achieving the goals of QNV 2030, which aims to achieve sustainable development at the economic, social, and environmental levels and achieve coordination and harmony between all the government entities in the interests of future generations,” said Eng. Abdulla Jassmi, Technical Affairs Department Manager, CRA.
“We are pleased to cooperate with CRA toward achieving the common goal of ensuring that non-ionizing radiation levels of mobile stations and towers in Qatar are in line with global standards and guidelines. MME will work with CRA to develop the appropriate working mechanisms to implement the MoU signed between the two sides in the interest of the country,” said Aisha Al-Baker, Director, Radiation & Chemical Protection Department, MME.
"The CRA is keen to develop the ICT sector with the aim development that has social beneficial impact. CRA also encourages the introduction of advanced and innovative communications technologies and we always take into consideration the international standards especially when it comes to radiation levels of radio-communication stations run by service providers in the country. CRA will work together with MME to achieve this goal at the national level,” said Eng. Mohammad Sadeq, Spectrum Management Department Manager, CRA.
Al-Baker also explained that MME’s Radiation & Chemical Protection Department is responsible for preparing bylaws, regulations, and requirements of practicing business in the field of ionizing or non-ionizing radiation, in accordance with the provisions of Radiation Protection Law No. 31 of 2002, and executive regulations issued under it. Moreover, it is also in accordance with the Ministerial Decree No. (116) of 2013 regarding the national guidelines for protection against electromagnetic radiation emitted by radio-frequency devices which adopts the international standards recommended by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).
The MoU will help in the cooperation and coordination between MME and CRA about the necessary approvals needed to build and run communication stations and towers. This aims to ensure choosing the suitable sites and minimize the number of temporary and portable towers on wheels and replacing it with permanent ones with safe building specifications in accordance with the applicable instructions.
The MoU also contains agreement on joint cooperation in measuring and monitoring radiation levels at communication stations and towers to ensure that all mobile communication stations and towers are compatible with international standards. MME and CRA will exchange the measurements results carried out by each side to develop and document a common database for Qatar, which will contain the values of the radiation levels of the various mobile communication stations and towers.
The MoU includes an agreement of cooperation between MME and CRA, in relation to dealing with complaints related to the levels of radiation from communication stations and towers, in the event of receiving a complaint in this regards; the coordination will be direct and continuous to make separate or joint measurements to check the level of radiation from the relevant station and to take the appropriate procedures, in accordance with the public interest.