DECT and WiMax systems
The following is part of a discussion on some of the new communications systems and was sent to this list by Bonnie Hicman:
Below is a brief exchange between two people, one an expert on this issue, the other a reporter re: the new WiMax systems about to be deployed in many U.S. cities, and the new DECT phones already here. It gives a good explanation of the difference between WiFi and WiMax, why we should be concerned, and why the new cordless domestic DECT phones should be avoided. At the end I have inserted a link to a news story re: this new deployment by Sprint-Nextel. There are other stories referenced too. What this means is that any existing cell tower or antenna array can be adapted to this use. Behind the curtain on this is the FCC’s recent licensing of these bands without an environmental review, with obsolete RF exposure standards in place, and the very real likelihood that when the standards are reviewed in the near future, they will become MORE lenient, especially in this bands, specifically to accommodate these new technologies. All the while, there is no government research into the biological effects to humans, much less other species. The industry continues to control the show as well as our federal regulators and the legislature. There is a recent thrust by the CTIA (Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association) to further undermine what little control communities retain under the Telecom Act to site this infrastructure. They are enticing individual legislators at the state level to propose Trojan Horse-type legislation that would override any restrictions on cell towers in residential neighborhoods. And there are clauses inserted in bills at the federal level that have nothing to do with this issue. What’s driving the new thrust is they are going after the cable networks. It’s not just about your cell phone anymore, or public safety, and maybe never was.
Blake Levitt
Hi C, Thanks very much for the heads up on these stories. On another note, my editors are asking for larger-scale solutions to EMF and RF issues in addition to steps individuals can take to minimize their exposure. Do you know of communities, or organizations such as schools that have successfully worked to mitigate exposure from cell towers? IE has anyone been successful in pushing for siting that minimizes public exposure? I know you mentioned the FCC law here that essentially silences communities. If not in the U.S. are there success stories from other countries? I’d welcome any leads. thanks again, K
K
If you want to highlight a real coming problem, look today at two articles in USA Today. The first is on page 2 of the business section titled “Sprint Nextel picks WiMax for new high-speed network”. The second is on page 6d titled “Nana Technology: Tools help seniors to be independent.” which includes an intelligent phone for seniors with dementia and computer programs that help cognition. WiMax is a wireless technology that produces a blanket of wireless RF over cities up to 10 miles (as compared to 300? for the average WI-FI installation). You can imagine the high RF exposures for those closest to the antennas. I don’t yet have good estimates of the RF power density for WiMax, but based on its “reach” or coverage area, it is very large. What is aggravating about the back-to-back articles is that these new technologies (some of which in themselves are wireless, exposing people to unnecessary RF) are providing the “solution” to “problems” likely related in the first pl ace to growing RF exposure. Look at the intelligent telephones in this article. The article says “several places, including Intel, are working on phones for people with memory problems. The phone Intel is developing user caller ID to display a photo of the person calling, the relationship of the caller, and some notes about their last phone conversation to jog the memory of a person with dementia.” Well, create the problem (RF exposure causes memory loss). Then, sell the solution (a phone that replaces lost memory). Sound familiar?
C
Thanks, C! When you have a moment, could you let me know if the following is accurate? I’m trying to clarify the difference between digital cordless phones and DECT phones, which I understand are just coming to the U.S. Also, is this an accurate description of the differences in health concerns over cordless and DECT phones? My understanding is that there’s a significant dif ference between digital cordless phones and DECT (digitally _enhanced_ cordless telecommunications) phones. The latter is much more powerful and networks with computers (you can use it with Skype) and is truly wireless. The first DECT cordless phone (Linksys) was introduced in the U.S. last October, after the FCC approved the technology. DECT phones are very common in Europe, however, where they’ve been in use for a few years. The main concern about DECT phones is that they’re emitting RF radiation all the time and never “power down,” so it’s like having a mini base station in your house. There’s still concern over cordless phones, which emit RFR when you’re using them. The main issue is long-term (10+ years) heavy use. thanks again,
K
Hi C, Thanks again for your changes and the quick turnaround. My editors have asked for a bit more about DECT phones–how does one know one’s phone is DECT? For instance, o ne person has this phone: it says it is 5.8GHz digital, with a digital answering system. Would that mean it DECT. Is there a way to find out? Should he get rid of it, and what should people look for on packaging to know it’s DECT? Thanks again!
K
Source: http://www.emfacts.com/weblog/index.php?p=538
--------
Comments on previous message
From Milt Bowling:
Hi Don ,
The reporter (last message) asked about school communities that have minimized exposure, and the Vancouver School Board passed a resolution, below, which did just that last year.
cheers,
Milt
Vancouver School Board Resolution, Feburary 7, 2005
Whereas There is no conclusive evidence that the installation of cellular antenna on or adjacent to schools is safe, and
Whereas The current standard for maximum allowable exposure levels for radiating energy in Health Canada’s Safety Code 6 is based on thermal effects only, and
Whereas Results from active research in this area is not expected to be available in the immediate future to confirm a satisfactory level of student safety, and
Whereas Part of the core purpose of VSB is to provide a safe learning environment for our students:
Be It Resolved That:
a. no further installations of cellular antenna be permitted on any school building or school grounds regularly used by students, and
b. that VSB policy, KMGA, Incompatible Land Uses Near Schools, be amended to include any installation of cellular antenna within 305 m (1000 feet) of a school as an incompatible use and that VSB be so notified.
Source: http://www.emfacts.com/weblog/index.php?p=539
--------
Health risks of Wi-Fi and WLAN on our health
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/1122031/
Swedes hit hard by WiMAX waves
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/2163464/
WLAN Sickness: Rubbish or Reasonable?
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/1692101/
WLAN, DECT in Schools and Kindergardens
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/1579030/
Below is a brief exchange between two people, one an expert on this issue, the other a reporter re: the new WiMax systems about to be deployed in many U.S. cities, and the new DECT phones already here. It gives a good explanation of the difference between WiFi and WiMax, why we should be concerned, and why the new cordless domestic DECT phones should be avoided. At the end I have inserted a link to a news story re: this new deployment by Sprint-Nextel. There are other stories referenced too. What this means is that any existing cell tower or antenna array can be adapted to this use. Behind the curtain on this is the FCC’s recent licensing of these bands without an environmental review, with obsolete RF exposure standards in place, and the very real likelihood that when the standards are reviewed in the near future, they will become MORE lenient, especially in this bands, specifically to accommodate these new technologies. All the while, there is no government research into the biological effects to humans, much less other species. The industry continues to control the show as well as our federal regulators and the legislature. There is a recent thrust by the CTIA (Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association) to further undermine what little control communities retain under the Telecom Act to site this infrastructure. They are enticing individual legislators at the state level to propose Trojan Horse-type legislation that would override any restrictions on cell towers in residential neighborhoods. And there are clauses inserted in bills at the federal level that have nothing to do with this issue. What’s driving the new thrust is they are going after the cable networks. It’s not just about your cell phone anymore, or public safety, and maybe never was.
Blake Levitt
Hi C, Thanks very much for the heads up on these stories. On another note, my editors are asking for larger-scale solutions to EMF and RF issues in addition to steps individuals can take to minimize their exposure. Do you know of communities, or organizations such as schools that have successfully worked to mitigate exposure from cell towers? IE has anyone been successful in pushing for siting that minimizes public exposure? I know you mentioned the FCC law here that essentially silences communities. If not in the U.S. are there success stories from other countries? I’d welcome any leads. thanks again, K
K
If you want to highlight a real coming problem, look today at two articles in USA Today. The first is on page 2 of the business section titled “Sprint Nextel picks WiMax for new high-speed network”. The second is on page 6d titled “Nana Technology: Tools help seniors to be independent.” which includes an intelligent phone for seniors with dementia and computer programs that help cognition. WiMax is a wireless technology that produces a blanket of wireless RF over cities up to 10 miles (as compared to 300? for the average WI-FI installation). You can imagine the high RF exposures for those closest to the antennas. I don’t yet have good estimates of the RF power density for WiMax, but based on its “reach” or coverage area, it is very large. What is aggravating about the back-to-back articles is that these new technologies (some of which in themselves are wireless, exposing people to unnecessary RF) are providing the “solution” to “problems” likely related in the first pl ace to growing RF exposure. Look at the intelligent telephones in this article. The article says “several places, including Intel, are working on phones for people with memory problems. The phone Intel is developing user caller ID to display a photo of the person calling, the relationship of the caller, and some notes about their last phone conversation to jog the memory of a person with dementia.” Well, create the problem (RF exposure causes memory loss). Then, sell the solution (a phone that replaces lost memory). Sound familiar?
C
Thanks, C! When you have a moment, could you let me know if the following is accurate? I’m trying to clarify the difference between digital cordless phones and DECT phones, which I understand are just coming to the U.S. Also, is this an accurate description of the differences in health concerns over cordless and DECT phones? My understanding is that there’s a significant dif ference between digital cordless phones and DECT (digitally _enhanced_ cordless telecommunications) phones. The latter is much more powerful and networks with computers (you can use it with Skype) and is truly wireless. The first DECT cordless phone (Linksys) was introduced in the U.S. last October, after the FCC approved the technology. DECT phones are very common in Europe, however, where they’ve been in use for a few years. The main concern about DECT phones is that they’re emitting RF radiation all the time and never “power down,” so it’s like having a mini base station in your house. There’s still concern over cordless phones, which emit RFR when you’re using them. The main issue is long-term (10+ years) heavy use. thanks again,
K
Hi C, Thanks again for your changes and the quick turnaround. My editors have asked for a bit more about DECT phones–how does one know one’s phone is DECT? For instance, o ne person has this phone: it says it is 5.8GHz digital, with a digital answering system. Would that mean it DECT. Is there a way to find out? Should he get rid of it, and what should people look for on packaging to know it’s DECT? Thanks again!
K
Source: http://www.emfacts.com/weblog/index.php?p=538
--------
Comments on previous message
From Milt Bowling:
Hi Don ,
The reporter (last message) asked about school communities that have minimized exposure, and the Vancouver School Board passed a resolution, below, which did just that last year.
cheers,
Milt
Vancouver School Board Resolution, Feburary 7, 2005
Whereas There is no conclusive evidence that the installation of cellular antenna on or adjacent to schools is safe, and
Whereas The current standard for maximum allowable exposure levels for radiating energy in Health Canada’s Safety Code 6 is based on thermal effects only, and
Whereas Results from active research in this area is not expected to be available in the immediate future to confirm a satisfactory level of student safety, and
Whereas Part of the core purpose of VSB is to provide a safe learning environment for our students:
Be It Resolved That:
a. no further installations of cellular antenna be permitted on any school building or school grounds regularly used by students, and
b. that VSB policy, KMGA, Incompatible Land Uses Near Schools, be amended to include any installation of cellular antenna within 305 m (1000 feet) of a school as an incompatible use and that VSB be so notified.
Source: http://www.emfacts.com/weblog/index.php?p=539
--------
Health risks of Wi-Fi and WLAN on our health
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/1122031/
Swedes hit hard by WiMAX waves
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/2163464/
WLAN Sickness: Rubbish or Reasonable?
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/1692101/
WLAN, DECT in Schools and Kindergardens
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/1579030/
Starmail - 22. Aug, 08:03
