- Electromagnetic wave is synchronized oscillations of electric and magnetic fields that propagate at the speed of light.
- Electromagnetic wave of visible or lower frequencies (i.e., visible light, infrared, microwaves, and radio waves) is called non-ionizing radiation, because its photons do not individually have enough energy to ionize atoms or molecules. The effects of these radiations on chemical systems and living tissue are caused primarily by heating effects from the combined energy transfer of many photons. Electromagnetic waves from common household appliances and cellular phones are examples of non-ionizing radiation. In contrast, high ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma rays are called ionizing radiation since individual photons of such high frequency have enough energy to ionize molecules or break chemical bonds. These radiations have the ability to cause chemical reactions and damage living cells beyond that resulting from simple heating, and can be a health hazard. Essentially, unlike the hazardous ionizing radiation from nuclear waste and atomic energy, electromagnetic waves from cellular phones and base stations do not pose any dangerous health hazardous radiation.
Environmental Sustainability
Electromagnetic wave
To directly address public concerns over electromagnetic fields, FET continues to participate in the "Base Station Work Group" formed by the Taiwan Telecommunications Industry Development Association (TTIDA), whose membership include the NCC and fellow telecom operators. FET also continues to advocate and communicate on the issue of electromagnetic fields as a way of reducing safety and health concerns from the public on electromagnetic fields from base stations.
Base Station Management Regulations
In addition to complying with regulations set by the competent authority for base station and antenna installation, FET also aims to minimize the number of antennas required by utilizing shared structures, stations, and antennas. This approach reduces resource consumption and minimizes visual impact on the public. We also actively enhance the landscape around the base station antennas, so that the antenna can be integrated into the landscape of the regional environment. In 2022, 60% of FET's base stations were shared stations 1, 21% were shared structures 2, and 19% were independent stations. In 2022, the total amount of fines related to the installation of base stations was NT$1.3 million, a total of 5 cases, an increase of 3 from the previous year, and the amount of fines increased by NT$1.1 million. Violations were mostly attributable to the urgency of customer coverage requirements, resulting in stations being activated while still in the process of applying for an operational license. FET has already continued to strengthen communications with customers and negotiations with NCC to shorten the license application process, thus reducing the number of stations being activated before approval and related fines.
Tracking Electromagnetic Radiation Issues and Services
FET remains an active participant in the Base Station Work Group, which was established by the Taiwan Telecommunications Industry Development Association (TTIDA). This group includes members from the NCC and other telecom operators. FET is committed to promoting and educating the public about the concept of base station electromagnetic waves. To address public concerns regarding the health and safety of these waves, FET offers electromagnetic wave home measurement services. In 2022, FET successfully resolved 223 cases of base station protests and conducted over 82 public advocacy and educational sessions on electromagnetic waves (including 2 sessions organized by TTIDA). Additionally, FET provided electromagnetic field measurement services, with associated expenses totaling NT$402,600. All test results complied with the Equivalent Isotopically Radiated Power (EIRP) and electric wave power density standards specified by the NCC in the mobile broadband base station verification technical regulations. FET continues to utilize 5G station construction to consolidate 4G antennas or introduce multi-band antennas, thereby reducing the number of antennas used in base stations and alleviating public concerns about electromagnetic wave emissions. In areas with high sensitivity, FET deploys new small-size antennas or high-performance antennas, combined with beautification projects, to overcome the limitations of antenna engineering space and minimize visual impact on the public. In 2022, a total of 964 base station antenna integration projects were implemented, with a total cost of about NT$29.5 million.
- *1. Shared location refers to the practice of multiple mobile service operators establishing base stations in a single building, location, or construction site.
- *2. Shared construction refers to the practice of multiple mobile service operators utilizing a common infrastructure, such as antennas, baseband equipment, or radio frequency equipment, to establish their respective base stations.
Electromagnetic wave
What is electromagnetic wave?
Does the base station's electromagnetic wave have any impact on human health?
- Base station electromagnetic waves do not release free radiated waves ( reference Q1 what is electromagnetic wave ? ), so it has no hazardous effects on human health. For example, the electromagnetic waves in radio stations and wireless television stations are all non-ionizing radiation and do not pose any danger on human health.
- Base station power is tremendously attenuated by the air and surrounding buildings. It has very little power that directly contacts with the human body. For example, the transmit power of a base station is often less than the power of wireless ADSL due to air consumption and building blockage into households. So sometimes we cannot get signals at home when using the cell phone, but still can access wireless Internet through ADSL. However, the safety standard “SAR”, recommended by the Taiwan's International Commission, following the standard by Non-Radiation Protection and the World Health Organization, should not exceed 2.0 W / Kg. (SAR is based on how much the human body absorbs electromagnetic waves, and the unit is how many watts per kg.)
- The mobile phone usually directly touches our hands, our faces, our ears, and our skin. The electromagnetic wave of the mobile phone has direct contact with the human body. The mobile phone is much closer to the human body than the base station. However, the frequency of the mobile phone is also a non-ionizing radiation wave and thus has no impact on human health. The current general measured value of mobile phones SAR, depending on brand and model, is about 1.83W / kg to 0.016W / kg and is within the standard value.
What is the unit of measurement of electromagnetic waves?
- The units of measurement for electromagnetic waves are: watts “W”, milliwatts “mW”, and microwatts “μW”.
- Watts (W) is the unit of power, refers to the energy emitted per unit. 1 watts = 103 milliwatts = 106 microwatts.
- The frequencies of a cellular base station are microwave (MW) and radio waves. The frequencies are usually measured as the power density of a plane wave, typically written in μW / cm2 (microwatt / cm2).
What are the common electromagnetic wave applications in daily life?
- Radio waves are at the lowest range of the EM spectrum, with frequencies of up to about 30 billion hertz, or 30 gigahertz (GHz), and wavelengths greater than about 10 millimeters (0.4 inches). Radio is used primarily for communications including voice, data, and entertainment media. For example, when you take a taxi, you can hear the radio contact, the Bluetooth earphone for driving, the wireless helper that picks up phone calls, and so on, which are all common electromagnetic wave applications.
- Microwaves fall in the range of the EM spectrum between radio and IR. They have frequencies from about 3 GHz up to about 30 trillion hertz, or 30 terahertz (THz). They have wavelengths from about 10 mm (0.4 inches) to 100 micrometers (μm), or 0.004 inches. Microwaves are used for high-bandwidth communications, radar and as a heat source for microwave ovens and industrial applications.
- Infrared radiation is in the range of the EM spectrum between microwaves and visible light. IR has frequencies from about 30 THz up to about 400 THz and wavelengths of about 100 μm (0.004 inches) to 740 nanometers (nm), or 0.00003 inches. IR light is invisible to human eyes and, we can feel its heat if the intensity is sufficient. For example, TV remote control, cold weather heaters, leisurely travel card for traffic and shopping, are all infrared applications.
- Ultraviolet light is in the range of the EM spectrum between visible light and X-rays. It has frequencies of about 8 × 1014 to 3 × 1016 Hz and wavelengths of about 380 nm (.000015 inches) to about 10 nm (0.0000004 inches). UV light is a component of sunlight and; it is invisible to the human eye. It has numerous medical and industrial applications, but it can damage living tissue. The X-ray has frequencies of 1017 ~ 1018HZ electromagnetic waves. It has the properties of penetrating substances and is often used for medical examination. Therefore, doctors can see inside the human body.
Will electromagnetic waves interfere with the function of home appliances?
It will not interfere with the function of home appliances. Base stations and various types of household appliances use different frequencies and, it will not cause interference problems.
Is the power of the base station electromagnetic wave high or low?
The power of the base station electromagnetic wave is low.
- Our mobile network is based on the cellular network system. The system is composed by many sub-areas, and each of the sub-areas is served with one base station. The base station's antennas keep service at low power and the proper distance between the systems allows other base station antennas to reuse the same radio resource.
- When the system adds many new base stations, the service area of a base station is smaller. Base station output power, thereafter, will also be decreased. Therefore, in a high-density metropolitan area, the smaller the service area is, the lower the transmission power.
Can the electromagnetic waves from the base station cause environmental pollution?
No, it does not cause environmental pollution. According to the press by the EPD (Environmental Protection Department) on April 25, 2000, the electromagnetic waves emitted by the base stations are definitely non-ionizing radiation. (reference Q1 what is electromagnetic wave ? ) The EPD also assign studies to the relevant academic research institutes. All the studies are shown: the electromagnetic waves of the domestic base station are below the international standard. The human body will not be harm. Therefore, the domestic base station is not listed as factors of environmental pollution.
If the people have electromagnetic annoyance, how to do they apply for measurement?
- The base station electromagnetic waves are restricted by our government. To know if the waves are over standard, a third party legally licensed by our government is required. Usually, a third party measures waves with professional equipment, and the results must be compared with standard SAR value.
- The National Communications Commission also provides free base station wave testing services to public at the phone no. 0800-580-010.
For more information on electromagnetic waves, where can I refer?
We recommend the following agencies and institutions on electromagnetic waves related information: