Brussels, 04/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - Just as the European Commission is pushing for the deployment of the 5G networks, European Commissioner for the Digital Agenda Neelie Kroes deplores the delay in implementing the superfast mobile internet (4G) in Brussels - the capital of Europe - because of emissions standards imposed in the region. In a letter of 14 February to the permanent representative of Belgium to the European Union, Kroes called for the situation to be resolved fast. The permanent representative of Belgium to the EU forwarded the letter to the Brussels minister for the environment, Eveylyne Huytebroeck (Greens), who has been trying to find a solution for several weeks, according to the Belga news agency - a solution which would not, however, affect the standards in force.
The Brussels Capital region ensures an emission standard of 3 volts per metre - a standard which is much stricter than that recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and European Union. This high standard has been criticised by mobile phone operators, and in particular by the administrator delegate of the historic operator, Didier Bellens. In her letter to the Belgian authorities, Kroes especially asks what the objective reasons are for this particularly low threshold in the Brussels region, and she asks how it fits with European directives. The Commission hopes that the Belgian authorities will quickly find a solution that guarantees both a high level of health protection for the population and access to broadband - which is essential for the return to growth of modern economies. (IL/transl.fl)