The Regulation specifies the physical and technical characteristics of small cells for 5G networks, and sets out a permit-exempt deployment regime.
A provision of the Electronic Communications Code is implemented: The new European Electronic Communications Code, adopted in 2018 and set to come into force in December 2020, requires authorities to facilitate the deployment of ‘small-area wireless access points’ (i.e. small cells) and to ensure that any rules governing their deployment are nationally consistent. Article 57 of the Code also requires the EC to specify physical and technical characteristics of small cells, such as maximum size, weight, emission power.
Small cells to be exempted from planning permits: On 30 June 2020, the EC adopted the relevant Implementing Regulation, which exempts small cells from any individual town planning permit, or other individual prior permits, providing that they comply with the parameters established by the Regulation. To ensure wide public acceptance for the measure, the Regulation addresses the visual appearance of small cells to avoid visual clutter. Antennas will be less visible – either fully integrated and invisible to the general public or, if visible, occupy a maximum space of 30 litres.
The EC also restated the safety of 5G networks: The Regulation refers to the exposure limits set out in the Recommendation of 1999, which adopts the limits established by the International Commission for Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). These are 50 times lower than what international scientific evidence would suggest as having any potential effect on health. The EC notes that small cells will produce less electromagnetic emissions, which could be compared to WiFi installations. Small cells will use lower power levels and therefore create lower exposure levels than existing 4G infrastructure. The overall exposure with the rollout of 5G networks is expected to be comparable to existing levels.
