Misconceptions about the technology have boosted conspiracy theories about safety which Ofcom and others are attempting to quash.
Background: Ofcom has measured the electromagnetic field (EMF) emissions from equipment used to transmit mobile signals and other wireless services for a number of years. With all four UK mobile networks having launched 5G services, Ofcom has extended its measurement programme to cover the frequencies being used for 5G.
The levels are well within the limits: Ofcom measured EMF emissions at 16 5G sites in 10 cities across the UK, focusing on areas where mobile use is likely to be highest. It found that at every site, emissions were a small fraction of the levels included in international guidelines set by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). The maximum measured at any site was approximately 1.5% of those levels.
Ofcom will amend licence conditions: Despite levels being currently well below the limits set out by ICNIRP, on 21 February 2020 Ofcom proposed to include a specific condition in spectrum licences requiring licensees to comply with the relevant levels from the ICNIRP guidelines. This would apply to all equipment which can transmit at powers above 10 Watts (including, for example, the licences of MNOs, TV and radio broadcasters, and most point-to-point microwave links). The consultation is open until 15 May 2020.
An attempt to calm health scares: As recently highlighted by consumer group Which?, studies from organisations including the World Health Organisation, Public Health England and the UK Health Protection Agency have all shown that 5G is not harmful to health. 5G operates at a wavelength of non-ionising radiation, which means it does not produce enough energy to damage body cells. The higher number of small 5G masts is also unlikely to be a problem, since these are low-powered and act like signal repeaters.
