BASE STATION RADIO WAVE EMISSIONS
As part of its network planning and maintenance, Telefónica monitors and controls its radio wave emissions to assure strict compliance with regulations and with European and international guidelines. In 2008, we took readings at 5,442 mobile telephony sites.
Before a facility is commissioned, and, later, while operating, we implement exhaustive radio wave emission checks to make sure we are compliant with both local regulations and internationally accepted standards.
We use call on independent assessment bodies to certify that the facility keeps within the radio wave emission levels permitted by applicable law. In some cases it is not Telefónica that conducts radio wave emission checks but a government regulator with powers to oversee our base stations.
As an aspect of the company's global Environmental Management System and within the framework of our network operation documentation, in 2008 we designed a specific procedure for internal control of radio wave emissions aimed chiefly at those countries where no specific regulations are place as to radio wave emissions from mobile telephony installations.
Over 2008 the company took radio wave emission readings at 5,442 of its base stations. It is to be borne in mind that radio wave emission measurement is not mandatory in all countries. In some cases radio wave emission checks fall to government regulators with specific powers (O2 countries in Europe).
Telefónica is nonetheless aware of public concern about radio wave emissions, so we have chosen to ensure transparency on this topic. Whenever required, the company provides information to homeowner associations, government bodies and other stakeholders about the functioning of mobile telephony base stations and antennas.
The World Health Organisation has stated that given the very low levels of exposure and based on the results of research trials conducted so far, there is no persuasive scientific evidence that the weak RF signals emitted by base stations have any adverse effects on health.
The CSR Atlas provides further details of our radio wave emission control. At Telefónica Móviles Panamá, for instance, we set in motion a programme in 2008 to measure radio wave emissions at 20% of mobile telephony network sites. The Atlas also reflects the main actions surrounding the deployment of the mobile telephony network in Spain, while in Germany the company has helped research the soundness of the present thresholds for electromagnetic radiation from mobile telecommunications systems.
Before a facility is commissioned, and, later, while operating, we implement exhaustive radio wave emission checks to make sure we are compliant with both local regulations and internationally accepted standards.
We use call on independent assessment bodies to certify that the facility keeps within the radio wave emission levels permitted by applicable law. In some cases it is not Telefónica that conducts radio wave emission checks but a government regulator with powers to oversee our base stations.
As an aspect of the company's global Environmental Management System and within the framework of our network operation documentation, in 2008 we designed a specific procedure for internal control of radio wave emissions aimed chiefly at those countries where no specific regulations are place as to radio wave emissions from mobile telephony installations.
Radio wave emissions measurements | |
| TELEFÓNICA SPAIN | 3700 |
| Spain | 3700 |
| TELEFÓNICA LATIN AMERICA | 1619 |
| Argentina | 423 |
| Chile | 102 |
| Colombia | 15 |
| Ecuador | 252 |
| Panama | 58 |
| Peru | 56 |
| Venezuela | 713 |
| TELEFÓNICA EUROPE | 123 |
| Czech Republic | 83 |
| United Kingdom | 40 |
| TOTAL | 5442 |
Over 2008 the company took radio wave emission readings at 5,442 of its base stations. It is to be borne in mind that radio wave emission measurement is not mandatory in all countries. In some cases radio wave emission checks fall to government regulators with specific powers (O2 countries in Europe).
Telefónica is nonetheless aware of public concern about radio wave emissions, so we have chosen to ensure transparency on this topic. Whenever required, the company provides information to homeowner associations, government bodies and other stakeholders about the functioning of mobile telephony base stations and antennas.
The World Health Organisation has stated that given the very low levels of exposure and based on the results of research trials conducted so far, there is no persuasive scientific evidence that the weak RF signals emitted by base stations have any adverse effects on health.
The CSR Atlas provides further details of our radio wave emission control. At Telefónica Móviles Panamá, for instance, we set in motion a programme in 2008 to measure radio wave emissions at 20% of mobile telephony network sites. The Atlas also reflects the main actions surrounding the deployment of the mobile telephony network in Spain, while in Germany the company has helped research the soundness of the present thresholds for electromagnetic radiation from mobile telecommunications systems.