A big 5G change is coming as India doubles radiation limit to global standard

New Delhi: The government has increased the electromagnetic field (EMF) limits for mobile networks to global standards, allowing telecom operators to cover larger areas with fewer towers, in a bid to ensure quality of service amid rising 5G traffic, people aware of the matter told ET.

The revised EMF or radiation rules, which will come into effect next month, double the permitted power density for a 5G base tower station (BTS) to 10 watt per square metre from 5 watts at present. This will essentially help signals to travel a longer distance, allowing service providers to extend coverage from each site and reduce network expansion costs, the people said.

Also Read: In relief to telcos, 5G radiation rules eased


EMF limits govern the maximum radio-frequency energy that mobile network equipment can emit.

The relaxation has been a long-pending demand of the telecom industry, which had argued that the earlier limits were hampering efficient 5G coverage.

“The change was essential in the wake of 5G as well as upcoming telecom technologies,” said an official privy to the details.

A query sent to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to confirm the development remained unanswered at the time of going to press on Friday.

The development is likely to be particularly helpful for Vodafone Idea, which is in the process of rolling out 5G service and can now plan its network based on the higher limits, people cited above said.

Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio, which have already deployed much of their 5G networks, are also expected to benefit from lower incremental capital expenditure and more efficient use of existing sites, they said.

India has been for years following much stricter radiation emission norms than those recommended by the International Commission for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), which advises the World Health Organisation and government agencies on the health and environmental effects of EMF.

Also Read: Government reviews net neutrality rules to enable 5G network slicing services

For instance, the country was following a power density requirement of 1 watt per square metre, which was revised to 5 watts last year, even as ICNIRP has recommended 10 watts.

Telcos have been seeking rules in line with this, citing studies that show no adverse health effects from wireless technologies. The new 10 watt limit is in line with norms followed in around 137 countries including most European Union countries, the UK, Australia, Japan, South Korea and Singapore.

As per the telcos, the old EMF rules have worked for 2G, 3G or 4G to an extent, but the same can’t be possible for 5G due to the significant differences in standards.