Page 124 - SAMENA Trends - February 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

OFCOM Finds no EMF Radiation Concerns Following 5G Tests

As part of its job the UK telecoms and UK, focusing on areas where mobile use of those levels, which is nicely under the
media regulator conducts a spectrum is likely to be highest. Mobile operators ICNIRP threshold. In fact most 5G readings
measurement program, which has been tend to direct the most spectrum and were many times lower than even that. For
measuring the electromagnetic field capacity at busy locations in order to example, at sites around Charing Cross in
(EMF) emissions from equipment used to better feed rising consumer demand. At London, where a 3.4GHz based 5G signal
transmit mobile signals and other wireless every site, emissions were said to be a was detected, the levels were just 0.0005%
services for a number of years. Previously “small fraction” of the levels included (Location 1), 0.0014% (Location 4) and
this focused upon existing mobile services in international guidelines – set by the 0.0007% (Location 5). As above, this reflects
(2G, 3G and 4G) but the work has now been International Commission on Non-Ionizing a percentage of the ICNIRP reference
extended to 5G and related frequencies. Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). And indeed levels for general public exposure. Ofcom
Ofcom measured EMF emissions at some the absolute maximum measured at any also covered EMF emissions close to the
16 sites used for 5G in 10 cities across the single site was approximately just 1.5% 60GHz (mmWave band) fixed wireless
equipment in Liverpool (this is a 5G trial
provided by Blu Wireless) and again found
nothing to worry about (the highest was
just 1.2% of the reference level). Details on
all of Ofcom’s surveys can be found here.
Generally all manufacturers, installers and
operators of wireless equipment should
already be aware of the ICNIRP guidelines,
and factor them in to how they plan their
services. However, just to be sure, Ofcom
are now proposing new license conditions
for spectrum licensees using equipment
that can transmit at power levels above
10 Watts. The proposals would mean
licensees must operate within the ICNIRP
guidelines as a condition of their Ofcom
license – including keeping data and
records of any testing to demonstrate their
compliance. The consultation on this will
remain open until 15th May 2020 but since
operators already work within ICNIRP
guidelines then it’s unlikely to have much
practical impact.

DITO Confident it has Deep Enough Pockets to Take on Telecoms Duopoly

The Philippines’ New Major Player (NMP) towers and rooftop installations by July requirement for the rollout,’ the official
DITO Telecommunity says it has ‘enough’ 2020, its chief admin officer Adel Tamano said, adding that the NMP could even
resources to challenge the might of de facto is cited as saying. Tamano told journalists ‘exceed’ its preliminary investment target
duopoly PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom, that DITO is ‘confident’ it can construct of PHP303 billion for the deployment, while
including recent additional funding from 5,000 cell sites, and has built 600 to date, noting that on the technical front, DITO
the Bank of China to help fund its first year and was keen to quash rumors that the should have 37% coverage by July (with
of operations. The NMP, a joint venture of newcomer lacks the financial resources minimum 27Mbps speeds) – as per the
China Telecom Corp, Dennis Uy’s Udenna to meet its rollout targets. ‘There are T&Cs of its license. A ‘stress test’ will be
Corp and Chelsea Logistics Holdings, has rumors that we don’t have resources carried out in September, before the official
reportedly drawn down PHP25.3 billion for the rollout. We have drawn down [a] launch of commercial operations in March
(USD500 million) from its Chinese lender, USD500 million facility from the Bank of 2021, Tamano said.
with a view to building up to 1,600 cell China … This is enough for the first year

124 FEBRUARY 2020