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An annual audit of mobile phone mast emissions has been carried out across the Channel Islands.
Commissioned by the Channel Islands Competition and Regulatory Authority the audit is carried out by consultants iWireless-Solutions Ltd to ensure that emissions from radio masts, which are owned by the islands’ telecom operators, meet the standards laid down by the International Commission for Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).
ICNIRP emission standards are recognised by the World Health Organisation and are used within the EU and other regions as a benchmark against which to measure the safety of radio-frequency emissions.
Tim Ringsdore, Director for Telecoms at CICRA, said: “The audit is an important part of our work in ensuring that telecoms operators in the Channel Islands are meeting the conditions set out in their operating licence and historically all operators in the Channel Islands have worked well within the recommended guidelines. The governments of Jersey and Guernsey set the emissions standards required as part of those licences, and it is our job as the independent regulator to monitor those levels on a regular basis.”
A comprehensive survey of all 274 mast sites across the Channel Islands was conducted by iWireless in 2017. The 2019 audit focuses on new and upgraded masts together with other sites on a sample basis.
Pictured: iWireless Solutions is an independent company and is a specialist system integrator and service provider that has an extensive track record for deploying bespoke, high-capacity indoor and outdoor wireless systems.
Bachir Belloul, Head of Engineering at iWireless Solutions, added: “CICRA engaged iWireless Solutions to carry out regular audits of the mobile network sites in the Channel Islands, ensuring that all the sites meet the international standards on the safety of the emission levels. We use fully calibrated, industry-recognised measurement equipment and qualified engineers with over 20 years of experience to ensure our testing is repeatable and of the highest standard.”
The audit also examines safety processes and procedures to ensure compliance with local health and safety legislation. The results of the audit are published on the Competition Authority’s website cicra.gg, where there are interactive maps for each island to allow members of the public to locate individual mast sites and read the relevant report for that location. Copies of the reports can also be obtained free of charge.
The results of the 2019 audit should be available by the end of the year.
Pictured top: Louise Sands measuring emissions from mobile phone masts.
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