Operators take proactive steps to comply with emission norms -Governance Now

Operators take proactive steps to comply with emission norms

As per the new norms, emission from mobile towers will be reduced by 1/10 of current standards

PTI | August 27, 2012

Mobile operators have completed redesign of their network infrastructure to meet new tower emission norms to be effective from September 1, 2012, GSM industry body COAI has said.

"The industry voluntarily undertook proactive measures and underwent a massive transition in its network infrastructure which was redesigned significantly to meet the prescribed norms," COAI said in an e-mail reply to PTI.

As per the new norms, emission from mobile towers will be reduced by 1/10 of current standards.

The Cellular Association of India (COAI) said though the revised guidelines are not based on any scientific study, the industry has agreed to comply with.

"... standards recommended by government are not based on any scientific analysis and therefore are quite arbitrary. Yet, the industry has agreed to comply with," COAI said.

The body added that the Prime Minister's Office is also aware of the issue and has tasked the Department of Science and Technology with conducting independent, scientific analysis and studies of the appropriate standards for India.

The COAI said even in the present scenario, emission levels from almost all towers are lower than the proposed revised limits.

"If at all any change that is required is only for very few sites, the operators will be taking corrective actions to comply with the revised levels," it added.

In order to follow the new norms, operators may have to put up additional towers to ensure quality of service.

"...this government directive will lead to an increase in the number of sites /towers since the operators are mandated by the DoT and TRAI for ensuring coverage and quality of service (QoS)," COAI said.

It said existing towers will have to be in place in order to provide the level of service as has been mandated by the government in the licence conditions.

It added limited amounts of spectrum available are part of reasons for closely built sites in highly densely populated areas of the country.

"The industry has mitigated this impact through site sharing arrangements among operators," COAI said.

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