3G & health - L1

3G is short for third-generation mobile telephony. Mobile phones and wireless devices using 3G, send and receive data much faster than second generation (2G) systems enabling many more features and applications to be possible

Compared to 2G, 3G can handle more voice calls and provides higher data communication rates and more advanced multimedia services, like video telephony and mobile broadband.

In technical terms, 3G is a generic term covering a range of wireless network standards & technologies including;

• WCDMA - Wideband Code Division Multiple Access
• UMTS - Universal Mobile Telecommunications System
• EDGE - Enhanced Data for Global Evolution
• HSPA - High Speed Packet Access including HSDPA and HSUPA

3G telephones and data communication devices emit low levels of radio waves, also known as radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, when used. These levels are below established safety guidelines.

In relation to wireless networks (including 3G) and health, the conclusion from the WHO is;

“Considering the very low exposure levels and research results collected to date, there is no convincing scientific evidence that the weak RF signals from base stations and wireless networks cause adverse health effects.”

WHO Fact sheet 304  http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs304/en/index.html

In 2009 and 2010, the International Commission for Non Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) reaffirmed the EMF safety guidelines following a review of national and international EMF research and published scientific literature.

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