Phone signals get a safety check

Thursday 01 October 2020

Work to check the safety of Jersey’s mobile infrastructure is being carried out this week.

The latest annual check will be conducted by independent UK company iWireless-Solutions Ltd, who advise major airports and companies in radio frequency Health and Safety.

 It is taking place at pre-determined sites in both urban and rural areas.

The ‘International Commission for Non-Ionising Radiation Protection’ (ICNIRP) standards used to measure the frequencies are recognised by the World Health Organisation and the EU as a benchmark against which to make the measurements.  

Tim Ringsdore, CEO at the Jersey Competition and Regulatory Authority, which commissioned the work, said: "The ICNIRP emissions standards and guidelines are very clear and form part of the Licence conditions for operators offering mobile phone services in the island.

“It's our job to make sure those standards are being met and this is a critical part of our work to give people peace of mind that our mobile networks are meeting internationally agreed safety levels." 

Pictured: I-Wireless Solutions staff member, Louise Sanders, testing emissions in Jersey.

He continued: "I am pleased to say that the operators cooperate fully in the process and there have been no problems reported from previous audits, but we are not complacent and remain committed to regularly monitoring levels to reassure people the island is fully compliant with the latest guidelines and this will continue as 5G solutions are developed over the coming years."

The results of the audit will be made public in November.