National policy proposal on antenna structures

Eng. Dharmasiri De Alwis,

The TRCSL is thankful to the “Daily News” for opening up a debate on “threats posed by telecommunication towers to Public Health” as it is a timely issue appropriately addressed subsequent to the publication of the proposed “National Policy on Antenna Structures” in print & electronic media including the “Daily News” on the August 12, 2008.

“Daily News” has come to call Public opinion and views on any possible hazard posed to public well-being by telecommunication towers which may be helpful to the TRCSL to improve the above proposal by paying attention to the debate. I am pleased to highlight here that the above Policy Proposal has been drafted by an expert group comprising senior university academics, professionals in this field and senior officers representing relevant government authorities.

As a member of the staff of the TRCSL and a member of the above committee, I am pleased to submit the following for the information of your readers.

It is a known fact that the telecommunications industry is developing faster than any industry, and the mobile telephony has exceeded all types of fixed services. Mobile telephony has become very popular and useful among average Sri Lankans as it has numerous advantages to the users. It is no more a luxury item or a prestige symbol and has become a need of the society. Time is money in this competitive world; you cannot waste time by going behind searching a service man or any other similar matter.

Although you have some concerns of related infrastructure, I am quite sure that you have realised the value of using a mobile phone. Wireless solutions are cheaper and many can afford it. Construction of Towers (Antenna Structures) and base stations are required to meet the demand of the users.

As the usage of mobile telephones is very high in density, one base station cannot cater to a larger area although the approved power output is sufficient. To meet the customer demand with the required Quality of Service(QoS), it is required to construct antenna structures to cover smaller areas with lower power by re-using the allocated frequency in other areas efficiently.

Owing to the lower output power of base stations with smaller service area, the electromagnetic radiation exposure level is also very low in value compared to the WHO specified safety levels.

TRCSL frequently monitor these exposure levels by using highly sensitive equipment and has always found these levels are very low and in the order of one in five hundredth ( 1/500).

The TRCSL has already decided to engage recognised professional organisations to monitor these levels in various locations in the country for publication in the print media by an independent body to make the process more transparent.

Auditing the standards of tower & base stations and to issue compliance certificates will be introduced shortly.

I appreciate if the “National Policy Proposal on Antenna Structures” published in the newspapers indicated as above be referred before submissions are made to this debate. Sharing of Antenna Structures, Height Clearance, Lightning Protection, Electromagnetic Interference & Health Concerns, Environmental Concerns, Construction of Antenna Structures, Installation of Antenna Structures on Buildings, Maintenance of Antenna Structures and Alteration to Antenna Structures have been addressed in drafting this document and they are in conformity to the safety standards specified by Professional bodies and Regulators in the world.