Towering obstacle before Digital India plan?

Small spectrum, fewer number of cell towers with low capacity to handle more calls and growing numbers of subscribers are some of the challenges that country's mobile operators are facing. The

International Telecommunications Union along with experts from different fields has stressed the need for all state governments working closely with service providers to ensure that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dream of a digital India is realised.

"India has about 935 million mobile connections, which are made possible with an interconnected network of about 5 lakh cell towers at present. Future growth of mobile networks offering 3G, 4G and other advanced technologies will depend heavily on building additional cell towers. Can Digital India be realised without mobile towers, without a proper network of fibre optics, without higher broadband speed," asked Rajan S Mathews, director general of Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI).

Mathews was speaking at a two-day seminar – EMF and Health hazards misconception can damage India's digital dream – of international mobile operators, health experts and government officials.

A panel discussion, Mobile Telephony and Health, was conducted on the side-lines of the event held in Kochi. The International Telecom Union's Forum also discussed a sensitive topic – Human Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields in India.

"The proliferation of radio communication stations in urban and rural environments has raised public concerns regarding human exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF). It has arisen in large part from misinformation and vested interests spread by a certain misguided activists. This has impacted the expansion of the vital Infrastructure of mobile networks in the form of availability of towers," Mathews added.

The discussion threw light on various aspects of mobile telephony industry, including mobile towers. Speakers from different sectors such as medical, research, bureaucrats and industry leaders took part in the discussion.

'India's very strict emission norms'

"Cumulative effect of not being able to get the permission for new towers is degrading the quality of network. We are optimistic that the new government under PM Narendra Modiji has a dream of digital India. Our effort will be to follow strict guidelines laid down by the government for the industry and provide best service," says Rajan S Mathews, DG, Cellular Operators Association of India.

"The people need to be informed that India has one of the strictest emission norms in the world and the government's safety regime ensures constant monitoring to ensure compliance with these norms. The DoT guidelines for installation and operations of mobile towers are very elaborate, comprehensive and address all concerns." says T R Dua, ED, TAIPA.

"Mobile phones today are an empowerment tool for the people, and it would be a pity if this progress is constrained by unfounded fears and irrational activism. India has steadily grown in terms of wireless connectivity as the second largest market in the world, and the immense benefits of the mobility services have been witnessed by all." says Pankaj Mohindroo, national president, Indian Cellular Association.

What is EMF?
EMF is short for electromagnetic fields or sometimes known as electromagnetic radiation or electromagnetic energy. These fields are present everywhere – the Earth, Sun and ionosphere are all natural sources of EMF. Electric and magnetic fields are part of the spectrum of electromagnetic energy which extends from static electric and magnetic fields, mains power frequencies (50/60Hz) through radiofrequency, infrared, and visible light to X-rays. EMF is also created whenever an electrical appliance such as a refrigerator or hair-dryer or computer is switched on. Many devices rely on them to work. TV and radio, mobile and cordless phones, wi-fi systems, remote control handsets, baby monitors and emergency communication systems all use radio frequency EM fields.