PM WANI, Towers and Radiation

PM WANI Framework:-

1. The Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the proposal of Department of Telecom (DoT) to proliferate Broadband through Public Wi-Fi networks under the framework of the Prime Minister’s Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) on 9th December 2020.
2. The PM-WANI framework envisages provision of Broadband through Public Wi-Fi Hotspot providers. It will consist of elements such as Public Data Office (PDO), Public Data Office Aggregator (PDOA), App Provider and Central Registry.
3. To facilitate ease of doing business and encourage local shops and small establishments to become Wi-Fi providers, it has been approved that the last-mile Public Wi-Fi providers require no license, no registration and will not need to pay any fees to DoT.
4. The potential user who wants to access Broadband through Public Wi-Fi will need to download the relevant App, get authenticated, and thereafter access Broadband at any Public Wi-Fi Hotspot. When the user reaches a Public Wi-Fi Hotspot, the App on the mobile phone will show various available networks. The user can then choose the Public Wi-Fi network of choice, pay an amount – either online or through voucher – and use the network till the balance is exhausted.
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Mobile Towers and Radiation:-

Whether the EMF emission from mobile towers is harmful?

In this regard, several studies have been conducted in different countries, under the aegis of World Health Organization (WHO). There is no conclusive scientific evidence of adverse health effects due to RF emission from mobile phone towers. WHO has referred to approximately 25,000 studies, conducted around the world over past 30 years, and based on an in-depth review of scientific literature, has concluded: “current evidence does not confirm the existence of any health consequences from exposure to low level electromagnetic fields”.

What are the internationally prescribed standards for mobile tower radiation? What limits have been adopted/prescribed in India?

WHO has recommended that “National authorities should adopt international standards to protect their citizens against adverse levels of RF fields. They should restrict access to areas where exposure limits may be exceeded.” WHO has referred to the International Commission on Non-lionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) which has prescribed the levels limiting EMF emission from Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) as safe for general public. DoT has adopted the radiation limits prescribed by ICNIRP and instructions have been issued to all the telecom service providers. The limits adopted by DoT have been made 10 times more stringent than the limit prescribed by ICNIRP. Keeping the precautionary EMF safe exposure limits for the Radio Frequency Field (Base Station Emissions) as 1/10th of the safe limits prescribed by ICNIRP for all areas in India, eliminates the need for fixing lower limits for specific localities like schools, hospitals, residential premises, children playgrounds; a segregation of which is impractical in densely populated localities.

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Caution for installation of mobile towers:-

1. DoT is not directly or indirectly involved in leasing/renting the premises for installation of mobile tower or for issuing any “No Objection Certificate” for the purpose.
2. A mobile tower may be installed by either Telecom Service Provider (TSP) or Infrastructure Provider (IP-1) as per their licensing/registration conditions. The updated list of TSPs and IP-1 is available on DoT website i.e. www.dot.gov.in. The public are cautioned that before they entertain any offer for installation of tower, they should verify the authenticity of TSP/IP-1 from DoT website.

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