On Tuesday, 30 June, the European Commission published an implementing regulation defining the characteristics of the antennas necessary to deploy 5G networks so as to exempt these small cells from the individual permit requirement. In the press release accompanying the regulation, the Commission clarifies that the regulation does not change the exposure limits.
This initiative, which takes the form of a Commission regulation, will apply on 21 December 2020, at the same time as the electronic communications code (Directive 2018/1972) from which it originated (see EUROPE 12137/9).
The implementing regulation defines the physical and technical characteristics of these small-area wireless access points, which are expected be especially numerous given that higher frequencies will be used (26 GHz). “To ensure wide public acceptance for the measure, the Regulation addresses the visual appearance of small cells to avoid visual clutter. It lays out the specifications for a coherent and integrated installation, while providing national authorities with the means to oversee deployment of small cells,” indicates the document, which ensures that these small cells occupy a maximum space of 30 litres (see the implementing regulation: https://bit.ly/3dS6xXq ).
A polarising discussion
It should be noted that fifth-generation mobile technology does not have the wind at its back. Several campaigns warn of possible carcinogenic effects. At the height of the Covid-19 crisis, ETNO and its international counterpart GSMA claimed that fake news linking Covid-19 and 5G had led to more than “140 arson attacks on infrastructure such as mobile phone masts in 10 European countries and assaults on scores of maintenance workers”.
In its press release, the European Commission reiterates its support of 5G. “5G wireless networks represent a pillar of socio-economic development for Europe as they will enable new services in health and care, energy, transport, education and many other areas”, comments Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton.
The same message came from the association of incumbent operators, ETNO, which published a document extolling the merits of 5G the day before. “Despite its strategic objective to have uninterrupted 5G coverage in all urban areas and all major terrestrial paths by 2025, Europe will lag behind with around 30% of adoption at that time”, points out the organisation; the European Commission also warned of risks of delays (see EUROPE 12504/13) (see ETNO report: https://bit.ly/2Zqebmy ).
Greens/EFA report questions ICNIRP
Both the Commission and the telecom lobby insist that in terms of public health, the EU’s recommended exposure limits are already 50 times lower than the levels that international scientific evidence indicates would have a potential effect on health. These allegations do not convince MEP Michèle Rivasi (Greens/EFA, France), the main opponent of 5G in the European Parliament.
Together with her colleague Klaus Büchner (Greens/EFA, Germany), she published on 19 June a report funded by her political group accusing the international organisation ICNIRP of being influenced by the telecommunications giants and dismissing scientific publications that warn of health risks linked to the development of 5G (see report by the Greens: https://bit.ly/2VtV0Hl ). (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)