Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am informed by the Information and Communication Technologies Authority that since January 2023, 10 complaints have been received with respect to base stations of mobile operators, including five pertaining specifically to health issues.

65 In order to provide a good quality of service, base stations which constitute the infrastructure that actually enables mobile phones to connect wirelessly to the networks, need to be placed where people live, that is, in the vicinity of houses. So, antennas or base stations are therefore found in those areas where people live and at times, located on the roofs of houses. However, radio base stations produce some exposure to radio frequency, electromagnetic field (EMF) but according to the World Health Organisation, there is no current evidence, no empirical evidence to confirm the existence of any health issues from exposure to low level EMF. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the ICTA usually performs EMF surveys and measurements when a complaint is received with respect to health hazards resulting from radio frequency emissions of base stations. The measurement is carried out at the premises of the complainant to determine whether the level of EMF exposure is within the permissible limits. Here, the ICTA applies International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection Framework, that limits the extent of exposure. The ICTA, in its evaluation process, applied these guidelines and the ITU recommendations as well. Furthermore, since 2012, the ICTA has also adopted an onsite measurement protocol to evaluate installations that are in place. And out of the five complaints that pertained to the health issues – it is good that I point out for the House that to comply to the EMF standard, one complaint pertained to a location where the tower was not even erected and one tower, though erected, was not yet operational. With regard to the fifth one – and this one is where the question actually emanates from and I thank the hon. Member for this question – a measurement was carried out in August 2023 and that test revealed that the operator was not compliant with the provisions of the EMF safety standard. The ICTA therefore requested the operator to take remedial actions which took place few months later. Therefore, in October 2023, further to another EMF survey and the measurement that was done at the same site, the radio frequency was then found to be within the permissible limits. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I also wish to inform the House that with the view of ensuring that operators comply with relevant international standards with regard to erection of base stations, as far back as 2011, the ICTA issued to the telecommunication operators, guidelines which were termed ‘Deployment of Radio Communication Infrastructure, Technical and Administrative Standard for EMF Safety’. And that was for the purpose of ensuring that

66 people are not exposed to unnecessary waves. The result of these evaluations is compared with safety standards that are recognised by the World Health Organisation. As at today, the said guidelines are still in force and 1,116 base stations have been verified. The ICTA is equipped with appropriate measuring equipment and with a view to improving its evaluation capabilities, the ICTA will be investing in further equipment. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I, therefore, take it that the survey mentioned by the hon. Minister is already being carried out.

The hon. Member!

By the hon. Member! Thank you.

Thank you, hon. Minister, for this answer. Will the Minister consider or the ICTA consider to positively publish the surveys carried so far?

Thank you, hon. Member, for the supplementary question. The ICTA is managed by an independent board. However, I will take the suggestion to the Board. Thank you.

Yes, hon. Member, do you have a question?

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, can the hon. Minister inform the House whether tests could be carried out at planned, regular intervals to ensure the safety and health of the inhabitants, especially as you have mentioned, they are exposed to EMF (Electromagnetic field)? Thank you.

Thank you for this supplementary question, hon. Member. As I mentioned, the ICTA is managed by an independent board. However, because it is an issue that pertains to public safety, I will take the message to the Chairperson of the Board.

Thank you. Next question! Hon. First Member for La Caverne and Phoenix! MESNIL-CASTEL – OLD FOOTPATH & DRAINS – REPLACEMENT