The experience of mobile telephony and antenna structures in Argentina

As a rule, communications have grown substantially in the past decades, and cell phones in particular have become the form of communication chosen by more than 2.5 billion persons in the world.

Argentina has not been the exception, and mobile telephony has grown substantially over the past years.  Today, in our country, we have more than 34 million users, that is, about 85% of the population of all ages and social strata, using this technology.                                                                                      

These services can be hired at affordable prices, and because of this their use is widespread, even in low-income households.  

This happens because people recognize concrete benefits.  Communications with everybody, from everywhere, greater social integration, productivity and security for persons.  In short, high quality of living.

Furthermore, it is important to mention that, for mobile telephony to reach every single user, companies must build and operate networks, whose infrastructure is comprised essentially of antennas.  Without them there is no other way of keeping users in contact among each other.       

Unfortunately, oftentimes this network development is limited by standards with provincial and municipal restrictions that contradict each other or overlap national regulations and which sometimes lead to a perception of mistaken risk about the functioning of these systems.  This is based on the absence of information about how the cell phone system works and on health-related issues.

Regarding how the cell phone system works, it must be said that, for a cell phone to be used, there must be an antenna close by to which it can be connected, and as it moves it is connected to the next closest antenna.  Because of this, antennas cannot be just anywhere.  They must be where people talk.

Regarding health-related issues, mobile telephony strictly observes the limits of exposure to radio emissions recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). 

In our country, there are concrete standards regulating the installation of antennas.  They have been issued by the Ministry of Health, the Secretariat of Communications, and the National Communications Commission and set maximum emission limits for all telecommunication systems.  These limits incorporate broad safety margins, and measurements made in our country show that antennas have emissions that are hundred times below the values set by international norms.  For example, in the city of Buenos Aires, more than 700 measured installations yielded these results.

Standards provide protection to inhabitants, they are responsibly observed by operators and checked by control authorities.

In addition, it is important to mention that the WHO underscores that, taking into consideration the very low levels of exposure and the results of investigations gathered to date, there is no convincing scientific evidence that the weak signs of RF coming from the base stations and wireless networks are exerting adverse impacts on health.

Mobile telephony shall continue to grow as long as it is permitted to invest in and install antennas, without which it is impossible to provide the service.

Without antennas, there is no service and their many benefits cannot be used.

One of the Goals of CICOMRA (Chamber of Informatics and Communications of the Republic of Argentina) is to inform and disseminate those aspects involving telecommunication antennas, the standards governing their installation and functioning, and how compliance is checked.

To do this, we have used various instruments: the publication of a book (Antennas, Infrastructure Needed for Telecommunications) and brochure (All about Antennas and Cell Phones), seminars in various forums (in 2006 in the provinces of Córdoba, Entre Ríos, and Buenos Aires),  numerous interviews with officials and the media, and contacts with universities and various State bodies.

All of these actions have been carried out through a coordinated plan and have started yielding positive results.

We in CICOMRA believe that, to continue moving forward, three goals must be achieved at the same time: the community must not be concerned about the functioning of cell telephony (through information), the authorities can perform their monitoring role (through standards in force), and the possibility of having the service and its benefits (facilitating the development of infrastructure).

Communications infrastructure is a key part to improving the quality of living and growth.  It is the concrete construction of the road to the Information and Knowledge Society.

In this context, we are convinced that the constant incorporation of technology in various sectors (corporations, government and society as a whole) shall make our country more competitive and shall make it possible to develop a more equitable society.

Norberto Capellán
Chair
Cámara de Informática y Comunicaciones de Argentina
CICOMRA