We support and encourage scientific EMR research

Being a responsible telecommunications company, Croatian Telecom supports and encourages extensive and detailed scientific research and keeps track of the research activities of many organizations, independent groups, professional teams and scientists on the effects of electromagnetic. Encouraged by Croatian Telecom, the Zagreb Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing prepared a Study on the Significance of Used Sources with Regard to Electromagnetic Fields Emitted in December of 2005.

General information on the Study

• Title: Study on the Significance of Used Sources with Regard to Electromagnetic Fields Emitted
• Authors: Doc. Dr. Sc. Davor Bonefačić, B.Sc.(Eng.), Prof. Dr. Sc. Juraj Bartolić, B.Sc.(Eng.), Zagreb Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing
• The purpose of the Study is to establish whether the GSM and UMTS systems of Croatian Telecom’s mobile communications meet the regulations regarding protection from electromagnetic fields.

How the Study was done

• The Study is based on measurement results. Measurements were conducted in the vicinity of our Company’s mobile network’s base stations. From the total numer of bases stations, a measuring sample of 93 base stations in the GSM system was selected, which is 7.17% of the total number of base stations of this system. For UMTS, measurements were conducted on 18 base stations or 11.92% of the total number of base stations of this mobile communications system.
  In total, electromagnetic field levels were measured at 661 measuring points, of which 556 measuring points were in the surroundings of GSM base stations, while 105 measuring points were in the surroundings of UMTS base stations.
• Measurements for the purpose of the Study were made exclusively by companies authorized by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of the Republic of Croatia to perform activities of protection from electromagnetic fields (Doron Net d.o.o. and Končar - Institut za elektrotehniku d.d.).
• A representative sample was taken for measurement; in the measurement of base stations in areas of higher sensitivity (medical center, hospital, school, university, kinder garden) all existing locations, i.e. 100% of the category were measured.

Regulations

• Regulations in the Republic of Croatia are up to 6.25 times more rigorous than the European ones.
• As for energy flow density levels, in the Republic of Croatia, the limitations in areas of occupational exposure are 5 times stricter, while in areas of higher sensitivity they are even 6.25 times stricter than in the European Union.
• In terms of electric and magnetic field levels, in the Republic of Croatia, the limitations in areas of occupational exposure are 2.2 times stricter, while in areas of higher sensitivity they are even 2.5 times stricter than in the European Union.
• Croatian citizens are better protected from exposure to electromagnetic fields the European citizens.

Results of the Study

• Extensive analysis of the measurement leads to the final conclusion that all base stations of the GSM and UMTS systems from the measuring sample comply with all regulations pertaining to protection from electromagnetic fields applicable in the Republic of Croatia.
• What is more, in the vast majority of of measuring points, the measured electric field and and energy density levels are substantially lower than the set limitations.
• In 99.28% of GSM measuring points and 100% of UMTS measuring points, the measured energy density level is even lower than 10% of the respective limitation.
• It has been established that collocated base stations of the GSM and UMTS systems meet the conditions for simultaneous operation of several electromagnetic field sources at various frequencies.
• By fully meeting the limitations applicable in Croatia, with measured values which, in 99% of cases, are below values of 10% of the limitation, the GSM and UMTS base stations owned by our Company meet all statutory provisions regarding protection of humans from electromagnetic fields in the Republic of Croatia. Thus, protection from electromagnetic fields is realized at a better level than in Europe. The tested measuring points in the surroundings of the base stations included in the Study are safe for humans.

Study Background

• Back in 2002, the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing (FER) had prepared a study under the title “Measurement and Assessment of Electromagnetic Field Effects of the CRONET GSM 900 System on Human Health". The study included theoretical research and measurements in the field, in the immediate vicinity of base station antennas. Measurements were made at 12 representative locations of Cronet GSM900 base stations with a total of 66 measuring points covering rural and urban areas. The performed measurements showed that the electromagnetic radiation values of Cronet GSM900 base stations were substantially below the levels prescribed by Croatian Regulations. Let us quote from the FER Study: “Measurement results at all 66 carefully selected measuring points undoubtedly showed that all twelve Cronet GSM900 base stations with the Kathrein antenna system emit electromagnetic fields the levels of which are substantially below the maximum permitted values for electromagnetic fields with regard to public exposure according to the currently valid standards as stated in the Ordinance on the Maximum Permissible Radiated Power of the Radio Stations in Cities (OG 111/2001)" .
• In the period after completion of the Study, changes were made in the legislation of the Republic of Croatia, while mobile communications systems were further developed and technologically upgraded. The GSM system has been upgraded and brought up to date technically, and a new system, UMTS, is being implemented, forming the third generation of mobile communications.
• Considering all the changes, the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing has updated its Study under the title Study on the Significance of Used Sources with Regard to Electromagnetic Fields Emitted, in which the changes were taken into account.

* The Ordinance on the Maximum Permissible Radiated Power of the Radio Stations in Cities (OG 111/2001) has ceased to be valid as at the day of entering into effect of the new Ordinance on Limitations in Intensity of Electromagnetic Fields for Radio Equipment and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment , while the permitted values remained the same.